Political philosophy is a fundamental branch of philosophy that critically examines the theoretical and conceptual foundations of politics, exploring the nature, scope, and legitimacy of political institutions like states. As a normative field, it focuses on desirable norms and values such as justice, equality, and liberty, contrasting with political science's empirical description of political phenomena. Diverse political ideologies offer distinct visions for society, including anarchism's rejection of centralized government, conservatism's emphasis on tradition, liberalism's advocacy for individual rights, and socialism's focus on collective ownership. This discipline boasts a rich history, originating with ancient thinkers like Plato and Aristotle discussing ideal states, developing through medieval religious thought, and evolving in the modern period to encompass secular ideas such as social contract theory, Marxism, and liberalism.