(Institute of Social Sciences, 2019)
Çetinkaya, Dilek Zehra; Kandiyalı, Jan; 571074; Political Studies; Siyaset Çalışmaları
This thesis aims to define the place and function of utopian thought in political theory and try to answer the question of whether working on utopia in political theory has a value or not. The usual attacks on utopian ideology focus on the "impracticable" or "preposterous" character of any particular vision being advocated. However, utopia is a state that is not intended to be realized; it is a goal, an abstract target. The main purpose is to address the idea that utopia is a theoretical necessity, that political philosophy cannot proceed without it and that utopia enriches our political lives. Utopian thought is a necessary warning for any society to progress and; progress is the realization of the utopia. My arguments to defend utopia will be built around four elements that are social criticism, hope, guidance and its complementary work for the non-utopian theories.