Political Argument

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People who have read some books about philosophy or listened to philosophers talk often decide that philosophy is too abstract and theoretical. They say that the terms and concepts philosophers use are irrelevant to practical, real-life problems. Take justice, for example. If we go to a library and search for books and articles by philosophers on the topics of justice, equality, democracy, liberty, economic development or censorship, we will probably find some very difficult, subtle discussions. And we will wonder how all those distinctions can help you decide whether capital punishment is just, or whether raising taxes on the wealthy is just, whether cutting ald to welfare mothers who have more children is just.

Many people would like to hear some answers to these questions about the justice or injustice of specific policies and actions and yet the abstract theories are necessary, too. If someone told us that capital punishment is just and that we should execute even more criminals, we would want to know why it is just. Or if a philosopher said much higher tax rates on the wealthy were just, we would want to know why. We would like to hear a general explanation of the idea of justice that leads to these answers. In other words, we all want answers to specific questions, but the answers are convincing only if they are backed up by some general principles and reasons that are also convincing Exploring the idea of justice, Amartya Sen has rightly said we need both Niti and Naya.

All these essays in this section try to meet these demands. They are both about specific practices in our society. Whatever flaws they may have, they are not irrelevant to our ordinary lives. The arguments both for and against their case support their answers with general principles that they believe we all accept. Both try to back up their specific recommendations with theoretical arguments. It is up to us to decide whose answers are more logical and convincing.

Aristotle is reported to have said that political science is a master science. Political theory, as the essence of political science, is what explains, analyses, examines, and evaluates any political phenomenon. It is an argument, a dialogue, a deliberation, a debate and a conversation. In political theory, we discuss and debate an issue, explain and analyse our point of view, and examine and evaluate where we have gone wrong and where we should have gone. The importance of a political theorist, as Brecht had said, is to see, sooner than others, and to analyse, more profoundly than others, the immediate and potential problems of the political life. To supply the practical politician, well in advance, with alternative courses of action, and to supply him with a solid block of knowledge on which to build. Political theory is, as Rorty says, "exploratory, conversational, and open-minded."

**Contents and Sample Pages**