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Questions and Answers
What does Comparative Politics focus on?
What does Comparative Politics focus on?
It examines political systems across different countries and cultures.
What is the primary focus of International Relations?
What is the primary focus of International Relations?
It studies interactions between states, international organizations, and non-state actors.
How does Political Theory contribute to political science?
How does Political Theory contribute to political science?
It explores fundamental questions about justice, liberty, equality, and the nature of the state.
What does Public Administration focus on?
What does Public Administration focus on?
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What is the primary role of government in a state?
What is the primary role of government in a state?
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What is meant by sovereignty in political science?
What is meant by sovereignty in political science?
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Define ideology in the context of political thought.
Define ideology in the context of political thought.
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What is the key feature of a democratic system?
What is the key feature of a democratic system?
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How does rational choice theory explain political behavior?
How does rational choice theory explain political behavior?
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What is the main focus of institutionalism in political science?
What is the main focus of institutionalism in political science?
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Flashcards
Power
Power
The ability to influence others, whether through persuasion, coercion, or authority. Understanding the distribution and use of power is central to political analysis.
Authority
Authority
The legitimate use of power, often based on established rules or norms. Distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate power is crucial to the study of governance.
Legitimacy
Legitimacy
The acceptance and recognition by the population that a certain government, institution, or action is valid and justified, which can be seen in things like popular support for laws and leaders.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty
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State
State
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What is Ideology?
What is Ideology?
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What is Political Culture?
What is Political Culture?
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What is Democracy?
What is Democracy?
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What is Rational Choice Theory?
What is Rational Choice Theory?
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What is Institutionalism?
What is Institutionalism?
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Study Notes
Branches of Political Science
- Political science is the study of politics, power, and government.
- It encompasses a wide range of subfields, each focusing on different aspects of political life.
- Key branches include:
- Comparative Politics: Examines political systems across countries, studying similarities and differences in structure and function.
- International Relations: Studies interactions between states, international organizations, and non-state actors (like corporations and NGOs). This includes war, peace, diplomacy, and trade.
- Political Theory: Explores fundamental questions about justice, liberty, equality, and the state, examining philosophical ideas about governance.
- Public Administration: Focuses on implementing public policy and managing government institutions, involving practical aspects of governance.
- Political Methodology: Develops and applies research methods to study politics, analyzing data and drawing conclusions using quantitative and qualitative approaches.
- Public Policy: Examines the processes governments use to create and implement policies addressing societal issues.
- American Politics: A specialization focusing on US political institutions, processes, and issues.
Key Concepts in Political Science
- Power: The ability to influence others through persuasion, coercion, or authority. Understanding power distribution is essential.
- Authority: The legitimate use of power based on rules and norms. Distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate power is vital.
- Legitimacy: The population's acceptance of a government or action as valid and justified, often reflected in support for laws and leaders.
- Sovereignty: The supreme authority within a territory, giving a state the right to govern itself independently. A core concept in international relations.
- State: The primary political organization within a nation or territory, responsible for order, public services, and laws.
- Government: The specific group holding power and authority within a state, responsible for administering laws and policies.
- Ideology: Sets of beliefs shaping political thinking and action; examples include liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and fascism.
- Political Culture: Shared beliefs, values, norms, and attitudes about politics within a group, shaping political interactions and understanding.
- Democracy: A governance system where power is held by the people, typically through elected representatives or direct participation. Fairness and equal rights are key features.
Core Theoretical Approaches
- Rational Choice Theory: Assumes individuals act in self-interest, leading to political outcomes from aggregated individual actions.
- Institutionalism: Focuses on political institutions (legislatures, executive, courts) and their structure and function.
- Structuralism: Examines how larger social structures influence political behavior and outcomes.
- Constructivism: Argues that ideas, norms, and identities are crucial in shaping international relations, with values and beliefs impacting political behavior.
Methods of Research
- Qualitative Methods: Use in-depth interviews, case studies, and textual analysis to understand political phenomena and contexts.
- Quantitative Methods: Apply statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, and surveys to study patterns and trends in political data.
- Comparative Method: A way to understand politics by comparing similar and dissimilar political systems across countries.
Relationship with Other Disciplines
- Political science overlaps with history, sociology, economics, and psychology.
- These interdisciplinary connections offer a broader perspective on factors influencing political phenomena.
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Description
Explore the fundamental branches of political science including Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Public Administration. This quiz will test your knowledge on the various subfields and their key concepts. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of political studies.