Introduction to Political Science

Introduction to Political Science

• Political science examines the theory and practice of government and politics.
• It explores concepts like power, authority, legitimacy, and the relationship between individuals and the state.
• Key subfields include comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public administration.

Comparative Politics

• This subfield analyzes political systems across different countries and regions.
• It looks at the similarities and differences in institutions, policies, and behaviors.
• Comparative analysis helps identify patterns, trends, and causal relationships.
• Common areas of study include:
  • Types of government (e.g., democracy, authoritarianism, monarchy)
  • Political parties and interest groups
  • Elections and electoral systems
  • Public policy processes
  • Economic development and political institutions

International Relations

• This field focuses on interactions between states and other actors in the international system.
• It explores topics like war and peace, cooperation and conflict, globalization, and international law.
• Key theories include realism, liberalism, and constructivism.
• Key areas include:
  • Diplomacy and negotiation
  • International organizations (e.g., UN, WTO)
  • Transnational actors (e.g., NGOs, multinational corporations)
  • Security issues (e.g., terrorism, proliferation of weapons)

Political Theory

• This subfield examines fundamental questions about justice, freedom, equality, and the nature of the state.
• It analyzes classical and contemporary political thought.
• Common theorists include Plato, Aristotle, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and contemporary thinkers.
• Main areas of focus include:
  • Concepts of democracy and citizenship
  • Theories of justice and equality
  • The nature of power and authority
  • The relationship between the individual and the state

Public Administration

• This deals with the organization and management of government.
• It focuses on the implementation of public policy and the efficiency of bureaucratic systems.
• Important concepts include:
  • Bureaucratic structures and processes
  • Public sector management
  • Policy implementation and evaluation
  • Accountability and transparency in government

Second-Year Specific Focus (Possible topics)

• Depending on the curriculum, second-year material might delve deeper into methodologies employed in political science research. This could include quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Analysis of specific political systems (eg. comparative analysis of democracies in the Western hemisphere or the impact of authoritarian regimes in specific regions)
• Advanced study of particular theorists or schools of thought
• International relations might cover advanced theories such as game theory and its applications to international conflicts.
• Development of specific research skills for conducting political analysis. This might include the design of research questionnaires, and the evaluation of data sources for political analyses.

Methodologies in Political Science

• This section may cover various methods used to study political phenomena such as case studies, statistical analysis, and discourse analysis.
• Critical evaluation of different methodologies used in case studies to evaluate the strength and weakness of these approaches.
• Importance of understanding limitations and biases in case studies.

Key Concepts for Political Science

• Sovereignty: The supreme authority within a territory.
• Legitimacy: The acceptance of authority by the governed.
• Power: The ability to influence others.
• Ideology: A system of beliefs and values.
• Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of countries.
• Political Culture: A shared set of political attitudes, values, and beliefs.