Political Science Reviewer

Political Science Politics- (from the greek word polis) -meaning "of, for, or City-state) is the practice and theory of influencing other people on a global, civic or individual level. More narrowly, it refers to achieving and exercising positions of governance — organized control over a human community, particularly a state. -

Study of state in all its elements, aspects and relationships.

Political Science-is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, nation, government, and politics and policies of government. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state .It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems, political behavior, and political culture. Politicians- A politician, political leader, or political figure. is a person who is involved in influencing.. This includes people who hold decision-making positions in government, and people who seek those positions, whether by means of election, inheritance, coup d'état, appointment, conquest, or other means. Characteristics of Pluralism base on Robert Dhal Association- in other words, might belong to another, even competing, group. Intergroup competition leads to countervailing influence Conflicts- Overlapping memberships reduce the intensity of conflicts because loyalties are often spread among many organizations. Authority- They have the right and freedom to do business in the political marketplace. How well they fare depends not on the indulgence of a higher authority but on their own skill in rallying political resources.

Famous Quotes Aristotle – ―Man by nature is a political animan‖ ―Man by nature is a social living‖ Robert Dahl-― Politics arises, then, whenever there are people living together in associations, whenever they are involved in conflicts, and whenever they are subject to some kind of power, r ulership or authority‖ Thomas Hobbes- For him society is a jungle with wild animals craving for power, prey and predator. Book of Thomas Hobbes- Leviathan or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil.

Leviathan- is a book written by Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and published in 1651.The work concerns the structure of society and legitimate government, and is regarded as one of the earliest and most influential examples of social contract theory. Karl Marx- Politics to Marx, like religion, is a manifestation of economics and the material world. All of history and the governance of humanity was a struggle between the ―bourgeoisie‖ and the ―proletariat.‖ Bourgeosie- High Class Proletariat – Workers Power- is the ability to influence or control the behavior of people. The term authority is often used for power perceived as legitimate by the social structure. Power can be seen as evil or unjust, but the exercise of power is accepted as endemic to humans as social beings. Coercion- Force or threat Authority - governing on a body upon which such authority is vested. Influence- Voluntary Actions of his/ her constituents. Methods in Political Science Obeservational or Empirical Method – Observing actual political institutions and their processes. These political institutions are ― laboratories ― of empirically oriented political scientists where they experiment on the workings of these political institutions. Historical Method – origin and evolution of the state and its institutions, by seeking to explain what they are and what they will be. The historical approach is not merely expository but interpretative, Comparative Method – Brings into focus contemporary political institutions and practices of various countries at different periods of history. We can draw similarities and differences in the structures and systems of the governments of these countries. Analytical Method- aimed at discovering the significant or essential elements of political institutions in an attempt to analyze and examine their worth and value and how they work. Importance of Political Science (1) Imparting Knowledge of the State: However, the primary aim of the study of Political Science is to inculcate knowledge of the State, its origin, nature, structure and functions. Knowledge about the State is of great significance to modern man.

(2) Imparting Knowledge of government and administration: The administrators, political leaders and diplomats, who conduct the affairs of the State, also require sound knowledge of Political Science in order to perform their functions with efficiency. An administrator who has no knowledge of Political Science is bound to be; i failure. The principles and norms established In the scholars in political science are of immense utility and value to the executives, legislators and judges. Political science is said to be a science of statesmanship and leadership. (3) Imparting Knowledge about the world: However, apart from these utilitarian considerations, the acquisition of know ledge of political science enriches one's mind and widens one's intellectual horizon. In order to know what is happening in the world around us at least an elementary knowledge of political science is necessary. In the modern age an individual cannot lead an isolated life. Each country has to maintain relations with other countries of the world. (4) Creation of democratic values: The study of Political Science has assumed special importance in modern times in all democratic countries. The success of democracy depends upon the political consciousness of its people. The study of political science makes people conscious of their rights and duties. It also makes them vigilant unless the citizens of a country are vigilant, alert, intelligent and patriotic; there is no possibility of successful working of democracy in that country. It is rightly said that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty". (5) Creation of good citizenship: The study of Political Science is valuable for creating good citizenship and securing unity of the nation. It makes citizens conscious of national, objectives and goals. Laski said that good citizenship implies "the contribution of one's instructed judgment to public good". It can be developed by the study of political science. Political Science teaches the lessons and virtues of good citizenship. (6) Lesson of co-operation and toleration: Political science also teaches the lesson of co-operation, adjustment and toleration. Society cannot prosper without cooperation. Man should learn how to co-operate and adjust himself with his fellow-beings. People of all walks of life should co-operate for the better development of the country. Toleration is also necessary in society.

State State - a political organization with a centralized government that maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use of forcewithin a certain geographical territory. James Gamer – ―State is a community of persons more or less numerous occupying a definite territory completely free of external control and possessing an organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience‖ 4 Elements of State People- Inhabitants or population of state Territory – Consists of the land within the boundaries of the state, the air space above the land, the inland waters. Government – Essential instrument or machinery of the state that carries out its will, purposes and objectives. Sovereignty – Supreme and final legal authority of the state to enforce its will on its members by coercive sanctions of necessary, which must not be subject to any like power. 2 Aspects of Sovereignty Internal – supreme or absolute power of a state to enforce on its will on the people within its territory. External – independence of a state from control by any other state. External sovereignty should be respected by other nation-states. Theories of State Divine Right Theory-presents the view that the state was created by God. The Authority to goven the people was ordained by God upon rulers who were regarded as of divine descent. Example: Military leader ( Gideon, Saul, David and Later, Solomon) Social Contract Theory-explained that the state was formed by means of a social contract of men who lived in a state of nature. Men lived together without any super-body to establish peace and

order and settle conflicts. The contract is give and take. Anything a person don’t have must be filled by another. Force Theory – the state came into existence out of conquest, force or coercion. Before the state existed there were always leaders strong enough to assert their leadership and power through force, conquest or violence. (Strong dominate the weak) Natural Theory – held that the state was a natural institution and not an abstract or artificial being. It was a natural system that unified its citizens. Patriarchal Theory- Sociologist and anthropologists maintain that the sstate arose through a process of evolution. At the beginning, the stat evolved from the smallest unit of society – the family. Gradually the family headed by a parent enlarged into a clan, tribe, nation and state. Instinctive Theory- state was created because of the natural inclination of men towards political association. A social being by nature, man associated himself with other men for self-preservation and security. Economic Theory- believed that the state developed out of man’s economic wants. Man isolation could not procure all the necessary things that he needed. Thomas Hobbes

John Locke

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Views of Human

He described us

Rational (Right/

Humans are good and

Nature

selfish. Thus must be

Wrong)

companionate

Despicable, Nasty,

Human Society is not

Our Society is

Brutish

chaotic we can attain

wonderful and rich

controlled. State of Nature

life, liberty and property. Sovereign

King and the Queen (

Representational

Absolute Monarch)

Democracy

Direct Democracy

(Leviathan) Effect of Social Contract Thomas Hobbes- People believe in peace but without right except the right to self-defense. John Locke- Those who have choice Jean-Jacques Rousseau- Life will be fair for employ the general will and interest.