Normative Theory

1
Normative Theory

• Methods and Questions
• Key Traditions
• Contemporary Normative Theory
• Problems with the Normative Approach
• Conclusions

2
Methods and Questions

• The discovery or application, of moral notions
  in the sphere of political relations. Isaiah
  Berlin, 1984, p21, cited in Marsh and Stoker
• Prescriptive Theory - this is how things should
  be
• Criticised from some academics as being too
  subjective
• Can lead to social science becoming value loaded,
  subjective and ideological
• What do you think are some of the key normative
  concerns in social and public policy at present?

3
Key Traditions

• Liberalism - the value of individual life and
  choice
• Socialism and Communism - Collectivism
• Liberalism - individual, liberty, freedom of
  speech, choice, pluralist democracy
• Collectivism - social welfare, community values,
  collective responsibility, equality
• Utilitarianism
• Greatest happiness of the greatest number
• much of modern democracy based on this idea
• concerns about minority groups

4
Contemporary Normative Approaches

• Teleology
• Do policies and political systems achieve desired
  ends (telos).
• What is state intervention and collectivism
  achieving?
• Communitarianism
• normative concerns about community collective
  responsibility