Karl Marx (1818–1883) is one of the most influential thinkers in the history of political philosophy and social theory. His analysis of society and history through the lens of class struggle has had a profound impact on political thought, revolutionary movements, and socialist ideologies. Marx’s theory of class war, central to his materialist conception of…
J. S. Mill’s Views on Representative Democracy
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), a prominent British philosopher, political economist, and social reformer, is best known for his contributions to the development of liberal thought. Mill’s views on representative democracy are deeply connected to his commitment to individual liberty, utilitarian ethics, and the idea of a well-ordered, rational society. In his work On Liberty (1859)…
Alexis de Tocqueville’s Views on Democracy and the Modern State
Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859), a French political thinker and historian, is best known for his seminal work Democracy in America (1835–1840), which offers a detailed analysis of democratic institutions, civil society, and political culture in the United States. Tocqueville is widely regarded as one of the most insightful commentators on democracy and modernity. His reflections…
Immanuel Kant’s View of Perpetual Peace
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), one of the most influential philosophers in Western thought, presented his vision for lasting global peace in his 1795 essay “Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch.” This work laid the groundwork for modern liberal internationalism and continues to influence international relations theory, global ethics, and political philosophy. Kant’s proposal for Perpetual Peace goes…
Edmund Burke’s Views on Citizenship and Democracy
Edmund Burke (1729–1797), often regarded as the father of modern conservatism, offered a distinctive and influential critique of radical political change and a nuanced vision of citizenship and democracy. While not opposed to democratic principles in theory, Burke was critical of the democratic excesses he witnessed during the French Revolution. His understanding of citizenship was…
Rousseau’s Conception of General Will
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), a major Enlightenment thinker, introduced the concept of the General Will (volonté générale) in his seminal work The Social Contract (1762). The idea of the General Will is central to his political philosophy and reflects his deep concern with freedom, equality, and popular sovereignty. Rousseau’s notion of the General Will attempts to…
John Locke’s Conception of the State of Nature and Natural Rights
John Locke (1632–1704), one of the foremost liberal political philosophers of the Enlightenment, laid a strong foundation for modern democratic thought through his theory of natural rights and the state of nature. In contrast to Hobbes’ pessimistic vision, Locke painted a more optimistic picture of human beings in the state of nature and emphasized their…
Why is Niccolò Machiavelli regarded as the father of Modern Political Thought?
Why Niccolò Machiavelli is Regarded as the Father of Modern Political Thought Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), an Italian diplomat and political theorist, is often hailed as the father of modern political thought because of his realistic, secular, and power-oriented approach to politics. His most famous work, The Prince, diverged dramatically from the classical and medieval political…
Analyze on what grounds Aristotle criticizes Plato
Aristotle’s Criticism of Plato: A Comparative Analysis Aristotle, one of Plato’s most distinguished students, revered his teacher but did not shy away from critiquing his theories. The contrast between Plato’s idealism and Aristotle’s empiricism forms the basis of much of Aristotle’s critique. While Plato believed in a world of ideal Forms or Ideas beyond empirical…
The Relevance of the Classical Tradition in Western Political Thought
The classical tradition in Western political thought primarily refers to the contributions of ancient Greek and Roman philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, and Polybius. This tradition has profoundly shaped the evolution of political theory, laying foundational concepts like justice, citizenship, democracy, the role of the state, and the nature of political virtue. Despite being…
What do you understand by Marxian theory of Alienation?
The concept of alienation is one of the central themes in the works of Karl Marx, particularly in his early writings such as Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844. Alienation, according to Marx, refers to the estrangement of individuals from themselves, others, and the products of their labor. This alienation is deeply rooted in the…
Hegel’s views on Civil Society
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) was a German philosopher who made significant contributions to political philosophy, particularly in his work “The Philosophy of Right” (1820). Hegel’s views on civil society are central to his understanding of freedom, the state, and the individual’s role within a social and political structure. Civil society, for Hegel, occupies a…