Political theory and theoretical physics


Autoria(s): Gagnon, Jean-Paul
Data(s)

01/12/2010

Resumo

This paper argues, somewhat along a Simmelian line, that political theory may produce practical and universal theories like those developed in theoretical physics. The reasoning behind this paper is to show that the theory of ‘basic democracy’ may be true by way of comparing it to Einstein’s Special Relativity – specifically concerning the parameters of symmetry, unification, simplicity, and utility. These parameters are what make a theory in physics as meeting them not only fits with current knowledge, but also produces paths towards testing (application). As the theory of ‘basic democracy’ may meet these same parameters, it could settle the debate concerning the definition of democracy. This will be argued firstly by discussing what the theory of ‘basic democracy’ is and why it differs from previous work; secondly by explaining the parameters chosen (as in why these and not others confirm or scuttle theories); and thirdly by comparing how Special Relativity and the theory of ‘basic democracy’ may match the parameters.

Formato

application/pdf

Identificador

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/38398/

Publicador

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (臺灣民主基金會)

Relação

http://eprints.qut.edu.au/38398/1/c38398.pdf

http://www.tfd.org.tw/docs/dj0602/001-022%20Jean-Paul%20Gagnon.pdf

Gagnon, Jean-Paul (2010) Political theory and theoretical physics. Taiwan Journal of Democracy (臺灣民主季刊), 6(2), pp. 1-22.

Direitos

Copyright 2010 Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (臺灣民主基金會)

Fonte

Division of Research and Commercialisation

Palavras-Chave #029900 OTHER PHYSICAL SCIENCES #160600 POLITICAL SCIENCE #social science #political theory #physics #democracy #Einstein #Jean-Paul Gagnon
Tipo

Journal Article