Political Theory: An Introduction

Step 1: Political theory explains ideas linked with society and government. Step 2: Justice and rights are key parts of it. Step 3: For exams remember that political theory studies values along with government.

Step 1: Political theory teaches us to imagine a better society. Step 2: It discusses just life and civic responsibility. Step 3: In exams connect the reason with both values and understanding.

Step 1: Liberty is a basic idea in political theory. Step 2: It helps us understand the relation between the individual and society. Step 3: In such questions identify the political value linked with the topic.

Step 1: Equality means giving equal human respect to every person. Step 2: Equal opportunity is also an important part of equality. Step 3: In exams do not confuse equality with sameness.

Step 1: Justice is linked with right and fair treatment. Step 2: Rights and duties in society are also connected with justice. Step 3: In exams do not limit justice only to courts.

Step 1: Rights give a base for living with dignity. Step 2: They also show the protection expected from the state and society. Step 3: In exams understand rights through civic life.

Step 1: The state is connected with public rules and order. Step 2: It affects the lives of citizens. Step 3: In exams connect the state with government and citizens.

Step 1: Citizenship shows the relation between a person and the political community. Step 2: It includes responsibilities along with rights. Step 3: In exams do not limit citizenship to an identity card.

Step 1: Public participation is important in democracy. Step 2: Consent and accountability are also its foundations. Step 3: In exams do not limit democracy only to voting.

Step 1: Political theory makes ideas easier to understand. Step 2: It explains ideas like liberty and justice in an organized way. Step 3: In exams link its function with clarity of ideas.

Step 1: This question is linked with good and proper governance. Step 2: Such questions are value-based because they discuss right and wrong. Step 3: In exams when you see should identify value-based thinking.

Step 1: Debate helps us listen to different ideas. Step 2: It makes our own argument clearer and stronger. Step 3: In exams treat debate as a process of learning.

Step 1: Liberty and equality guide social life. Step 2: So they can be called political values. Step 3: In exams identify such words as basic political ideas.

Step 1: Political theory helps us understand the meaning of rules. Step 2: It asks whether a rule is just or not. Step 3: In exams focus on the reason behind a rule.

Step 1: Political theory encourages students to think about ideas. Step 2: It helps them distinguish strong arguments from weak ones. Step 3: In exams connect it with critical thinking.

Step 1: Power is linked with the ability to make decisions. Step 2: Political decisions affect the lives of citizens. Step 3: In exams connect power with influence and decision-making.

Step 1: Rights give individuals protection and benefits. Step 2: Duties show that our behavior toward society should be responsible. Step 3: In exams study rights and duties together.

Step 1: Public interest is linked with the collective welfare of society. Step 2: It gives importance to wider good over narrow private gain. Step 3: In exams connect public interest with social welfare.

Step 1: Liberty means reasonable freedom not doing anything one wants. Step 2: So its limits and responsibilities are also discussed. Step 3: In exams understand liberty with limits and responsibility.

Step 1: Political theory learns from old ideas. Step 2: It also thinks about present society and a better future order. Step 3: In exams treat it as a living and useful subject.

Step 1: Consent means approval of the people. Step 2: In democratic rule it is an important basis of legitimacy. Step 3: In exams connect consent with the role of people.

Step 1: Legitimacy is linked with acceptance of rule. Step 2: When people consider rule proper its legitimacy becomes stronger. Step 3: In exams connect legitimacy with acceptance not just power.

Step 1: Political theory gives a chance to understand different views. Step 2: Reasoning and respect are both important in it. Step 3: In exams remember that disagreement is part of democratic learning.

Step 1: Equal opportunity means the chance to progress should be fair. Step 2: It connects equality with real life. Step 3: In exams connect equal opportunity with both justice and equality.

Step 1: In civic life we need to understand many public issues. Step 2: Political theory gives clear thinking about rights and responsibilities. Step 3: In exams connect its usefulness with aware citizenship.