Is There a Non-Western Political Science? (Political Theory by Takashi Inoguchi)

Is There a Non-Western Political Science? (Political Theory by Takashi Inoguchi)


Chugrov S.V.,

Dr. Sci. (Soc.), Professor, Department of Sociology, leading researcher, Institute of International Studies, MGIMO University; Editor-in-chief of Polis. Political Studies journal Moscow, Russia, s.chugrov@inno.mgimo.ru


elibrary_id: 252110 | ORCID: 0000-0002-8307-7606 | RESEARCHER_ID: E-4747-2016


DOI: 10.17976/jpps/2016.04.14

For citation:

Chugrov S.V. Is There a Non-Western Political Science? (Political Theory by Takashi Inoguchi). – Polis. Political Studies. 2016. No. 4. https://doi.org/10.17976/jpps/2016.04.14



Abstract

The author of this review tries to answer the question – “Is there non-Western political science?” –targeting this analysis on the concept of one of the prominent Japanese thinkers, Inoguchi Takashi, andhis texts published during the past 7-year period, and especially new book “Political Theory” (Seiji riron).According to Inoguchi, although political theory as a part of the modern discipline of political science emergedonly in the 20th century, the origin of political theory are unquestionably in ancient thought – whether inthe philosophy of Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt, or China. Inoguchi points also at the birth of science inancient India where the distinction between zero and one was first discovered. Again the non-West wentahead of the West. All this is meant to say that the adjective ‘non-Western’ is unnecessary. Inoguchi alsoturns to the distinction between the Abrahamic tradition and the Dharmic tradition. The former emphasizesthe orientation of standardizing and unifying whereas the latter emphasizes the orientation of embracingdiversity and respecting differences. The former is strongly associated with Christianity, Islam, and Judaismwhereas the latter is strongly associated with Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism and Shintoism. This distinctionis often overlooked but important in discussing political science. Inoguchi’s answer to the question in the titleof this review is the following: “Neither Western political science, nor non-W estern political science; there is a political science of embracing and equilibrating two traditions – Abrahamic and Dharmic.” 

Keywords
Japan; Inoguchi Takashi, political science; politics; non-Western political theories; international relations; comparative studies.


Content No. 4, 2016

See also:


Inoguchi T.,
The Development of Political Science in Japan. – Polis. Political Studies. 2019. No4

Inoguchi T.,
Political theory. – Polis. Political Studies. 2012. No3

Chugrov S.V.,
Moscow University Bulletin. Series 25. International relations and world politics: 5 years on track. – Polis. Political Studies. 2014. No5

Alekseyeva T.A., Lebedeva M.M.,
What Is Happening to the Theory of International Relations. – Polis. Political Studies. 2016. No1

Lebedeva M.M., Melville A.Yu.,
Comparative Political Science, World Politics, International Relations: Development of the Subject Spheres. – Polis. Political Studies. 1999. No4


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