Branches of Political Science

Study Notes

Branches of Political Science

Political science is a social science that studies political behavior, institutions, and processes.
It encompasses various sub-fields, including:
- Comparative Politics: Studies political systems and phenomena across countries.
- International Relations: Focuses on interactions between states and other actors on the global stage.
- Public Administration: Examines the organization and functions of government agencies.
- Political Theory: Analyzes fundamental concepts and theories of politics, such as justice, liberty, and power.
- Public Policy: Studies the creation and implementation of government policies.
- Political Methodology: Develops and applies research methods to study political phenomena.

Key Concepts in Political Science

Power: The ability to influence others' behavior, often through coercion or persuasion.
Authority: The legitimate right to exercise power.
Legitimacy: The belief that a government or institution has the right to rule.
Sovereignty: The supreme power of a state to govern itself without external interference.
Citizenship: The status of belonging to a particular state or nation.
Democracy: A system of government where power is vested in the people, often through elected representatives.
Authoritarianism: A system of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, and individual rights are limited.

Approaches to Political Analysis

Rational Choice Theory: Assumes that individuals act rationally to maximize their self-interest.
Institutionalism: Focuses on the role of institutions in shaping political outcomes.
Constructivism: Emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and culture in shaping political behavior.
Behavioralism: Seeks to understand political phenomena through empirical observation and scientific methods
Historical Institutionalism: Explains political outcomes as the result of past interactions and institutional development

Key Themes in Contemporary Political Science

Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of countries and societies.
Political Polarization: The growing division among different political groups.
Terrorism and Extremism: The rise of violent ideologies and movements challenging existing orders.
Inequality: the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities across society, often influencing political choices and representation.
Populism: The rise of political movements emphasizing the common people against elites.
Environmental Politics: The increasing role of environmental concerns in shaping political agendas and decision making.

Methods in Political Science Research

Qualitative Methods: Often involve in-depth analysis of case studies, interviews, and historical documents.
Quantitative Methods: Utilize statistical analysis and data to measure and test hypotheses.
Mixed-methods Approaches: Combine qualitative and quantitative approaches to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Core Political Systems

Democracy: Characterized by free and fair elections, rule of law, protection of civil liberties, and separation of powers.
Authoritarianism: Marked by concentrated power in the hands of a single person or group, restricted freedoms, and lack of democratic processes.
Socialism: a system where the means of production are commonly owned and controlled by the community as a whole, aiming for social equality.
Communism: A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society with common ownership of the means of production, often utilizing centralized political control to achieve this state.
Capitalism: A system where the means of production are privately owned, aiming for profit and free markets.

Key Actors in Political Science

States: Governments and their associated institutions.
International Organizations: Groups such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs): Privately funded groups that work in many areas, sometimes engaging in advocacy or direct service provision.
Individuals: Citizens, activists, leaders, and other actors who shape or are affected by political processes.
Businesses: Businesses play a key role in political and economic life and may lobby governments on issues important to their operations.

Description

This quiz covers the various sub-fields of political science, including Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Test your understanding of key concepts such as power, authority, and legitimacy in the realm of politics.