Normative political theory: methods and practice

Abstract

Normative political theory examines how society ought to be organized and how individuals ought to behave in society. Its dedication to the normative and prescriptive makes it distinct from other subfields of political science, which focus on understanding or explaining society and human actions. The article outlines the methodology of normative political theory, highlighting its main components: conceptual analysis, reflective equilibrium, and the use of hypothetical examples. Each of these elements is carefully explained and illustrated. The article concludes with practical advice on how to apply this method in practice.