Political Theory and the Problem of Ideology

Abstract

F OR ALMOST A CENTURY, the assumptions, methods, and arguments of philosophy have dominated the Anglo-American conception of political theory. In this essay, I want to draw attention to some of the practical consequences of viewing political theory in this manner, and to suggest an alternative perspective for the formulation and interpretation of political theory. When students are introduced to political theory in university courses or in textbooks, they are presented with a set of presuppositions which direct them, in thinking about the subject, to adopt the rules associated with analytical or linguistic philosophy.' Thus, they are advised to pay special attention to precise definitions, the relations among concepts, to formulate abstract models or general rules, to adhere to the principle of logical consistency, to look for universal conditions, and so on.2 What is sought, through the