Critical Theory (CT) is a way of thinking that emerged from the Frankfurt School of philosophy from the 1920's. It is a framework for studying historical struggles in context within sociology, and politics. Critical Theory is a social, historical, and political school of thought that aims to understand how societies operate and the ways in which power structures shape our lives. It's concerned with critiquing (or "critically examining") dominant ideologies, norms, and institutions that perpetuate inequality, oppression, and injustices.