Political theory refers to the study of the ideas, concepts, and principles that underlie political systems and institutions. It encompasses a wide range of approaches to understanding politics, including normative theories that seek to evaluate and recommend political practices, empirical theories that aim to describe and explain political phenomena, and critical theories that aim to challenge and transform political power structures. Political theorists explore questions such as: What is the nature of power and authority? How should political power be distributed? What is the role of the state in society? What are the obligations of citizens and rulers? What is the relationship between law and justice? Through these and other questions, political theory seeks to deepen our understanding of politics and to provide insight into how political institutions and practices can be improved.