POLITICAL THOUGHT AND ITS ROLE IN THE FORMATION OF SOCIETIES

Povzetek

Political thought is regarded as one of the most significant fields that explains the relationships among the individual, society, authority, and, consequently, the state. Among the most prominent expressions that summarise this relationship is Aristotle's assertion that "man is by nature a political animal," which underscores that politics is not merely an external activity but rather the essence of human nature. It is founded upon a system of intellectual conceptions that embody both the moral and material needs of humanity. This system has played a pivotal role in shaping the paths of human communities and determining the forms of authority, as well as material and institutional domination. Political thought, therefore, is not simply theoretical speculation but rather a mechanism that lays down the foundations of empires and civilisations, both Eastern and Western, across the globe. It has been associated with a set of values and standards through which political orders seek to justify their existence and regulate their relationship with individuals, reflecting diverse and fundamental conceptions of freedom, justice, virtue, equality, and belonging. These conceptions later evolved into principles such as citizenship, the social contract, and human rights. Principles and values are addressed in this article to analyse the role that political thought has played and continues to play in shaping them and contributing to the founding of societies.