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Questions and Answers
Which branch of political science analyzes the formation, implementation, and evaluation of government policies?
Which branch of political science analyzes the formation, implementation, and evaluation of government policies?
What is the term for the legitimate power to command and enforce obedience?
What is the term for the legitimate power to command and enforce obedience?
Which political system emphasizes the concentration of power in the hands of a small group, suppressing political opposition and individual rights?
Which political system emphasizes the concentration of power in the hands of a small group, suppressing political opposition and individual rights?
Which of the following concepts is NOT directly related to the study of political institutions?
Which of the following concepts is NOT directly related to the study of political institutions?
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Which branch of political science explores the differences and similarities between political systems across countries?
Which branch of political science explores the differences and similarities between political systems across countries?
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What does the term "sovereignty" refer to within the context of political science?
What does the term "sovereignty" refer to within the context of political science?
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Which of these is NOT a branch of political science?
Which of these is NOT a branch of political science?
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Which of these statements BEST defines "political theory"?
Which of these statements BEST defines "political theory"?
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Which research method involves in-depth investigation of specific instances to understand political phenomena?
Which research method involves in-depth investigation of specific instances to understand political phenomena?
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Which of the following is NOT a key challenge in political science research?
Which of the following is NOT a key challenge in political science research?
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Which of the following is NOT a current area of political science research?
Which of the following is NOT a current area of political science research?
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What is the primary distinction between Public Administration and Public Policy?
What is the primary distinction between Public Administration and Public Policy?
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Which of the following is a key element of the study of Public Policy?
Which of the following is a key element of the study of Public Policy?
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Flashcards
Political Science
Political Science
The study of power, governance, and political behavior.
Comparative Politics
Comparative Politics
Explores similarities and differences in political systems across countries.
International Relations
International Relations
Studies interactions between countries, including diplomacy, war, and trade.
Political Theory
Political Theory
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Public Administration
Public Administration
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Legitimacy
Legitimacy
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Democracy
Democracy
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Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism
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Qualitative Methods
Qualitative Methods
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Quantitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
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Causality in Political Science
Causality in Political Science
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Impact of Social Media
Impact of Social Media
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Study Notes
Branches of Political Science
- Political science is the study of power, governance, and political behavior.
- It examines institutions, processes, and policies related to governments and the interactions between individuals and groups.
- Branches include:
- Comparative politics: exploring similarities and differences in political systems across countries.
- International relations: studying interactions between countries, including diplomacy, war, and trade.
- Political theory: examining philosophical questions about justice, rights, and the nature of the state.
- Public administration: focusing on the implementation of government policies.
- Public policy: analyzing the formation, implementation, and evaluation of government policies.
- Political methodology: studying the research methods used in political science.
Key Concepts in Political Science
- Authority: the legitimate power to command and enforce obedience.
- Power: the ability to influence others, whether through force, persuasion, or other means.
- Legitimacy: the popular acceptance and acceptance of a government or regime as valid and rightful.
- Sovereignty: supreme power or authority within a territory.
- Citizenship: the status of belonging to a particular nation-state, having rights and duties.
- Ideology: a set of beliefs or ideals forming the basis of a political ideology.
- Democracy: a system of government where supreme power resides in the people, exercised directly or via elected representatives, under a free electoral system.
- Authoritarianism: a system where power is concentrated in a small group or individual, opposition suppressed, and individual rights restricted.
- Totalitarianism: a system where the state controls all aspects of social and economic life, including thought and behavior.
Subfields of Political Science
- Comparative Politics: examining political systems across countries to identify patterns, differences, and similarities in governments, economies, and societies.
- American Politics: focusing on the theory and practices of American politics, including the US Constitution, political parties, elections, and campaigns.
- International Relations: investigating how nations interact, international law, international institutions (UN, NATO, etc.), and foreign policy.
- Political Theory: exploring fundamental questions about justice, freedom, rights, equality, the state, and government.
- Public Administration: analyzing the processes and structures by which government policies are developed and implemented.
- Public Policy: studying government decisions impacting citizens, considering their underlying values, scientific evidence, and diverse perspectives.
Methods in Political Science Research
- Qualitative methods: in-depth study of cases, interviews, and textual analysis.
- Quantitative methods: statistical analysis of data to identify correlations and causality.
- Mixed methods: combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
- Case studies: in-depth investigation of specific instances.
- Experiments: controlled studies manipulating variables to determine effects.
- Surveys: gathering responses from a sample about political views.
- Statistical modeling: using statistical methods to understand complex relationships.
Key Challenges in Political Science
- Understanding causality: distinguishing correlation from causation in complex political phenomena.
- Measuring abstract concepts: developing precise measures for abstract concepts like power and democracy.
- Research bias: acknowledging and mitigating bias in research.
- Generalizability of findings: difficulty generalizing findings from one context to another.
- Complexity of political systems: understanding intricate dynamics within systems.
Areas of Current Research
- Impact of social media on political communication and behavior.
- Rise of populism and its implications for democracy.
- Effects of globalization on national sovereignty.
- Governance challenges in the face of climate change.
- Impact of economic inequality on political stability.
- Evolution of political parties and ideologies.
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Description
This quiz explores the various branches of political science, including comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration, public policy, and political methodology. Dive into the core concepts that shape governance and political interactions, enhancing your understanding of political structures and theories.
