One of the contemporary theories to politics that uses economic assumptions in explaining and understanding politics is known as ‘political economy’, or ‘public-choice’ or ‘rational-choice’ theory. It is also called ‘formal political theory’.9 It applies rules and assumptions of the economic theory to analyse the behaviour of human beings in a situation of decision-making. It involves decision-making… Continue reading Contemporary Theories of Political Economy
Month: February 2023
Marxian Approach to Political Economy
Marx adopted the conception of ‘economic determinism’ as part of his materialistic explanation of history. It implies that economic and material conditions of human life are basic and primary factors for understanding all the other activities. Economic relations, as they prevail in the context of ownership of the means of production, are the determining factors… Continue reading Marxian Approach to Political Economy
Theories of Political Economy
Classical Political Economy Approach Classical political economy approach is said to have started with the Physiocrats (a school of economic thought in France led by Quesnay and Mirabeau) who advocated liberty of production and non-interference of state in the economic activity (primarily agricultural), a policy of laissez-faire. However, Adam Smith, Robert Malthus and David Ricardo advocated the policy of laissez–faire as… Continue reading Theories of Political Economy
Introduction
Political economy relates to application of economic concepts and assumptions in understanding aspects of politics, political behaviour of citizens, decision-makers, interest groups and the states in their interaction with other states. Political economy approach offers economic explanation for public policy; that decision and policy-makers would choose or formulate such policies that would present an optimal… Continue reading Introduction
Political Culture in India: Myron Weiner’s Analysis
We have discussed about sub-cultures within political cultures. It is generally agreed that all political cultures are mix and most of them heterogeneous. Heterogeneous and fragmented political cultures are considered unfavourable for democratic stability. Lack of uniformity in political culture could be due to several factors: These are issues related to the configuration or make… Continue reading Political Culture in India: Myron Weiner’s Analysis
Political Culture, Political Socialization and Democratic Stability
Our discussions with respect to political culture and civic culture, in particular and political development above, suggest that the study of political culture and political socialization is related to the understanding of conditions of successful democratic experiment. How does political culture contribute to the stability of a particular political system and what are the features… Continue reading Political Culture, Political Socialization and Democratic Stability
Cultural secularization
Refers to ‘a process whereby men (political participants) become increasingly rational, analytical, and empirical in their political action.’38 For example, in a traditional political culture one would seek legitimacy based on may be traditional factors as Weber says but in a democratic set-up one seeks office based on calculation of votes, information on voters’ requirements and… Continue reading Cultural secularization
Structural and role differentiation
Refers to how far executive and legislative functions are separate from each other, how far the two are separated from the judiciary? What happens when a new sub-system of role develops or is introduced? For example, what happens when universal adult suffrage is introduced making all adults above a particular age eligible to participate in… Continue reading Structural and role differentiation
Sub-system autonomy
Refers the role of the interest and demand groups autonomous of that of the role of the political parties. Political parties are treated as agencies of interest aggregation, i.e., taking the demands and interests as well as the policy proposals to the forums of legislator and policy-makers in the shape of programmes and policies. Interest… Continue reading Sub-system autonomy
Political Culture as a Framework of Comparative Study
Political culture is understood, as subjective aspect of politics. Subjective aspect means beliefs, symbols and values, which people express towards political objects, institutions, process, etc. It defines the situation in which political action takes place.36 This means nature of the political process in different countries can be explained and understood with reference to how people think… Continue reading Political Culture as a Framework of Comparative Study