Introduction: Theory’s Landscapes

Abstract

Comparative political theory is an increasingly visible development in the field of political theory, garnering much attention for its critical engagement with the substance, scope, and purpose of political theory itself. Fundamentally challenging the hegemony and definition of Western political thought by engaging scholars and texts ignored or dismissed by the traditional canon, comparative political theory seeks to integrate perspectives and politics from all regions of the world. In doing so, it seeks to displace the normative and analytic priority of Western interpretations and definitions of fundamental political concepts such as freedom, subjectivity, and society. Each of these moves has spurred further debate and discussion of the merits of comparative political theory and its contributions to thinking about political theory.