What is Political Theory?
Political theory is the study of the concepts and principles that people use to describe, explain, and evaluate political events and institutions. It explores the nature of justice, democracy, power, and so on, and develops frameworks for thinking evaluatively about pressing issues of politics and public policy of the day.
Traditionally, the discipline of political theory has approached this study from two different perspectives: the history of political thought, and contemporary political philosophy. Princeton’s political theory faculty has strength in both of these areas of the discipline, and indeed a number of faculty members actively teach and work in both.
Major clusters of expertise for Princeton political theorists include democratic theory, international political theory, and aspects of the history of political thought.
To view the Political Theory Subfield Guide, click here.