The Importance of Being Theoretical: Analysing Contemporary Politics

The aim of this chapter is to give an overview of the ways in which we seek to engage students in the idea of using theory in their studies and to reflect on why this matters. While we are aware that there are different ways in which students can ‘do’ political analysis, here our focus is upon the application of theoretical frameworks as a mechanism to understand, or attempt to explain ‘real world’ events or phenomena. Our argument is that through understanding the way in which theoretical frameworks may be used and applied, students are provided with the tools and skills that they need to analyse political phenomena, event(s) or action(s).