Synopsis Political theory unlike political thought is the speculation of a single individual who is attempting to offer us a theoretical explanation of political reality, namely, the phenomena of the state. Every theory by its very nature is an explanation built upon certain hypotheses which may or may not be valid and which are always open to criticism. Political theories are of two types--normative or prescriptive and empirical or descriptive. As the words indicate, the prescriptive theory relates, in a general way, to suggest the model by which an imperfect political or social order could be made perfect. The empirical or descriptive political theory is primarily concerned with the things such as state structure, political process, etc.Designed primarily as an introductory textbook for graduate and post-graduate students offering political theory as a compulsory subject, the book, i.e., dimensions of political theory provides a lucid and up-to-date presentation of the various political issues--state, sovereignty, liberty, equality, dominant political ideologies, international relations, diplomacy, etc.