A sketch of a system of theory and practice

Most political theorists are committed to one particular view about the relation between theory and practice. It is argued in this article that there are in fact four possible ways of relating theory and practice, which are distinguished in terms of the answers that are given to two distinct questions. Derived from this is the suggestion that all political theorists can be classified according to whether they are sanguine, phlegmatic, melancholic or choleric. The purpose of this sketch of a system is to indicate the questionable nature of much of what passes for modern political theory - especially that of the now dominant sanguine tradition, which has for several decades especially concerned itself with the 'impact' theory can have on practice. © 2015 Political Studies Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.