Thematic/Problematic
Thematic
The basic principles of an ideological system which are expressed in terms
of both epistemology (assumptions about the way knowledge is structured) and
ethics (assumptions about what is morally correct). These principles may well
seem natural or "common sense" to a person who believes in them.
Problematic
A series of concrete statements about actions which should be taken based on
the thematic.
Contexts
For instance, the American House of Representatives frequently debated relations
with China in the 1990s. Democracy in China might be promoted in two different,
mutually exclusive ways. China might be engaged, and made a trading partner in
order to gradually transform the country into a democracy. Alternatively, America
might introduce sanctions in order to force China into change. These solutions
are different problematics. However, they share the same, fundamental thematic-the
assumption that "democracy" is good for China, and that the same type
of democracy will inevitably come to all countries as they go through the process
of development.
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Last Modified:
19 April, 2002