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Questions and Answers
Which philosopher's work was greatly influenced by the writings of John Locke?
Which philosopher's work was greatly influenced by the writings of John Locke?
Which pair of philosophers both advocated for individual rights and limited government?
Which pair of philosophers both advocated for individual rights and limited government?
Which philosopher is known for developing a non-religious philosophy of history?
Which philosopher is known for developing a non-religious philosophy of history?
Which philosopher's work directly contributed to the social and political upheaval of the French Revolution?
Which philosopher's work directly contributed to the social and political upheaval of the French Revolution?
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Whose book, "The Science of Material Gain", is considered a compilation of existing knowledge on economics and politics in ancient India?
Whose book, "The Science of Material Gain", is considered a compilation of existing knowledge on economics and politics in ancient India?
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Which philosopher is known for his argument that the economy is the driving force behind societal change?
Which philosopher is known for his argument that the economy is the driving force behind societal change?
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Which philosopher's work, "The Prince", presents a cynical view of power and advocates for ruthless tactics for political success?
Which philosopher's work, "The Prince", presents a cynical view of power and advocates for ruthless tactics for political success?
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Which philosopher's ideas were directly reflected in the American Declaration of Independence?
Which philosopher's ideas were directly reflected in the American Declaration of Independence?
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Which of the following is NOT a key value emphasized by the Post-behavioral Approach in political science?
Which of the following is NOT a key value emphasized by the Post-behavioral Approach in political science?
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What is the primary focus of the Marxist approach to political analysis?
What is the primary focus of the Marxist approach to political analysis?
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How does the Post-behavioral Approach differ from traditional and behavioral approaches?
How does the Post-behavioral Approach differ from traditional and behavioral approaches?
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According to the provided text, who is considered the most influential scholar of international relations?
According to the provided text, who is considered the most influential scholar of international relations?
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According to the Marxist approach, how does the State function?
According to the Marxist approach, how does the State function?
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Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of the Behavioral Approach?
Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of the Behavioral Approach?
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The traditional approach to politics that focuses on the study of legal institutions, constitutions and their role in state organization is known as the:
The traditional approach to politics that focuses on the study of legal institutions, constitutions and their role in state organization is known as the:
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Which approach emphasizes the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods?
Which approach emphasizes the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods?
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Which of the following scholars is associated with the philosophical approach to the study of politics?
Which of the following scholars is associated with the philosophical approach to the study of politics?
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According to the behavioral approach, which aspect of political study emphasizes the impact of social context on individual political behavior within a community?
According to the behavioral approach, which aspect of political study emphasizes the impact of social context on individual political behavior within a community?
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What does the word "science" mean in French?
What does the word "science" mean in French?
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What is the central premise of Max Weber's argument regarding the rise of capitalism?
What is the central premise of Max Weber's argument regarding the rise of capitalism?
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How does the Marxist approach differ from traditionalism and behaviorism?
How does the Marxist approach differ from traditionalism and behaviorism?
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The statement that 'the state makes their regulation, they are very much involved in the process of politics' is associated with which approach?
The statement that 'the state makes their regulation, they are very much involved in the process of politics' is associated with which approach?
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Which approach emphasizes the study of formal political structures, such as legislatures, executives, and judiciaries?
Which approach emphasizes the study of formal political structures, such as legislatures, executives, and judiciaries?
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Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the traditional approaches to the study of political science?
Which of these is NOT a characteristic of the traditional approaches to the study of political science?
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What does the term 'polis' refer to?
What does the term 'polis' refer to?
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Why does politics exist, according to the passage?
Why does politics exist, according to the passage?
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What does Aristotle's statement, "Politics is the ‘master science’", imply?
What does Aristotle's statement, "Politics is the ‘master science’", imply?
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According to the passage, why is a well-governed society essential for human life?
According to the passage, why is a well-governed society essential for human life?
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Which of the following is NOT a key definitional attribute of Political Science, as presented in the passage?
Which of the following is NOT a key definitional attribute of Political Science, as presented in the passage?
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What is the main argument of the passage regarding the relationship between individuals and their political environment?
What is the main argument of the passage regarding the relationship between individuals and their political environment?
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What is the main contribution of Aristotle to the field of Political Science?
What is the main contribution of Aristotle to the field of Political Science?
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Which of the following statements best reflects the author's perspective on the significance of Political Science?
Which of the following statements best reflects the author's perspective on the significance of Political Science?
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What is the primary method through which political scientists verify hypotheses?
What is the primary method through which political scientists verify hypotheses?
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Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Political Science as a discipline?
Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Political Science as a discipline?
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In Political Science, when do generalizations become recognized as theories?
In Political Science, when do generalizations become recognized as theories?
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How do political scientists typically arrive at research conclusions?
How do political scientists typically arrive at research conclusions?
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Which statement best reflects the nature of Political Science?
Which statement best reflects the nature of Political Science?
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What is one major argument against the classification of Political Science as a science?
What is one major argument against the classification of Political Science as a science?
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Which aspect of Political Science does NOT align with the principles of natural sciences?
Which aspect of Political Science does NOT align with the principles of natural sciences?
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What is one reason political phenomena are considered difficult to predict?
What is one reason political phenomena are considered difficult to predict?
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Which of the following is frequently cited as a limitation of Political Science compared to natural sciences?
Which of the following is frequently cited as a limitation of Political Science compared to natural sciences?
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What aspect of Political Science contributes to its subjective nature?
What aspect of Political Science contributes to its subjective nature?
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What is a common criticism regarding the precision of Political Science concepts?
What is a common criticism regarding the precision of Political Science concepts?
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Why is limited experimentation considered a challenge for Political Science?
Why is limited experimentation considered a challenge for Political Science?
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Which statement reflects the belief of critics who argue that Political Science is not a true science?
Which statement reflects the belief of critics who argue that Political Science is not a true science?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Political Science (POL 101) - Lecture 01
- Political science is everywhere
- Politics is as old as humanity
- Politics exists due to disagreements among people
- All aspects of human existence are dominated by politics
- Everyone is subject to a political system, whether they like it or not
- Politics defines the relationship between individuals and their social/political environment
- Politics is the "master science" (Aristotle)
Origin of the term "Political Science"
- "Political Science" is closely related to "Politics"
- "Politics" comes from the Greek word "polis", meaning "city-state"
- "City-state" was the fundamental political organizational structure in Ancient Greece
- Aristotle, a Greek philosopher, is often considered the originator of political science
- He advocated for living a virtuous life
Father of Political Science
- Aristotle is widely recognized as the Father of Political Science in the West
Definition of "Political Science"
- The state is a natural creation; humans are naturally political beings
- Those who do not participate in politics are either superior or inferior to humanity
- Aristotle considered them to be 'tribeless', lawless, and homeless.
- Aristotle likened them to a bird flying alone
Key Definitional Attributes of "Political Science"
- Human beings are social and political animals
- The nature of a rational human being is to live in a society; by nature or by compulsion
- Safety and security of human life are ensured in a well-governed society
- An organized society is a state
- Human beings need a well-governed state for progress
Definition of "Political Science" - Second Perspective
- Politics is an ongoing competition among people (usually in groups) to shape policies favorable to them
- They can influence members' beliefs & values through indirect methods
- Political science is a method for studying politics
Politicians vs. Political Scientists
- Politicians prioritize power and popularity, taking practical approaches, holding firm views, focusing on single causes, and aiming for short-term gains. They plan for elections and respond to groups. Name recognition is also a goal.
- Political Scientists prioritize accuracy and abstract thought, seeking tentative conclusions, multiple causes, long-term consequences, planning for publications, and the good of the whole. Professional prestige is a goal.
The Scope of the Discipline
- Political science overlaps with other social sciences (economics, psychology, sociology) due to the multifaceted nature of power.
- A 1948 UNESCO conference defined political science as the study of political theories, institutions, parties/pressure groups, international relations, the relationship between government & civil society, power, authority, influences, political activities/processes, and the political system/environment.
Chronological Development of Political Science
- Plato: A foundational thinker; wrote dialogues about politics, including The Republic
- Aristotle: Applied empirical methods to the study of politics building on Plato's works
- St. Augustine: Argued for the importance of salvation in lives' political context
- St. Thomas Aquinas: Bridged Aristotelian and Christian thought
- Confucius: A Chinese philosopher who significantly influenced East Asian civilizations
- Kautilya: A Hindu statesman/philosopher; wrote 'Arthashastra' (a classic treatise on politics & material gain)
- Ibn Khaldun: A foundational Arab historian developing early non-religious philosophies of history.
- Machiavelli: Wrote The Prince, a perspective on obtaining & maintaining power (strategy/ruthlessness)
- Hobbes: Used geometrical methods to explain politics, advocating for absolute monarchy
- Locke: Argued for a democratic government respecting individual & property rights (influencing Jefferson)
- Rousseau: A revolutionary thinker whose ideas influenced the French/American Revolutions
- Karl Marx: Economist/philosopher; viewed economics as fundamental to social changes and political revolutions; advocated for Marxism which has led to political approaches
- Burgess: Founded a political science department at Columbia University; was focused on institutionalizing political science
- Max Weber: Argued that religion, not economics, was the force in social change
- Robert O. Keohane: Influential scholar in international relations; developed the neoliberal theory.
Major Approaches to the Study of Political Science - Traditional Approaches
- Philosophical: Aims to advise rulers; is centered in ethics and not objective. (Plato, Aristotle, Rousseau, Kant, Hegel)
- Historical: Focuses on the history and development of political institutions and events to understand their origins and growth
- Legal: Examines legal/juridical processes/institutions of the state for political organization
- Institutional: Emphasizes the formal structures of political organizations (legislature, executive, judiciary).
Major Approaches to the Study of Political Science - Behavioral Approaches
- Sociological: Explains how the social context impacts political behavior.
- Psychological: Analyzes emotions, habits, instincts, and personality to understand political behavior.
- Economic: Studies the economic character of politics, focusing on production/distribution of goods.
Major Approaches to the Study of Political Science - Post-behavioral Approaches
- Aims to consider values to understand political activity. Aims towards being less purely academic.
- Encourages involvement in public/political issues
Major Approaches to the Study of Political Science - Marxist Approach
- Focuses on the production/distribution of goods in assessing social changes and political revolutions
- Treats the state as an instrument for exploitation among classes
Is Political Science a "Science"? - Arguments for
- Politics is a systematized body of organized knowledge
- Scientific methods are used to collect and organize knowledge
- Political experiments are possible, using the government as a test case
- Empirical evidence can be used for conclusions (e.g., impartial judiciary, free press).
- Hypothesis testing and surveys are used to strengthen theories
Is Political Science a "Science"? - Arguments Against
- Disagreement among political thinkers regarding definition & scope.
- Lack of precise principles due to many debates/controversies
- Human behavior is unpredictable unlike matter in science.
- Experimentation is not applicable in an environment like real world politics.
- There are subjective elements inherent, and objectivity is hard to quantify.
- Predicting future events in politics is difficult.
Is Political Science a Science? - Debate Outcomes (Concise Summary)
- Political science's study is not as easily quantifiable as other pure sciences.
- Theories and laws can be developed through observation of patterns though.
- Political science is a social science, not a pure science (due to uncertainty and complex human element)
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of political science, exploring its origins and key concepts. It highlights Aristotle's contributions and the significance of politics in human existence. Test your knowledge of the foundational ideas of political science and its historical context.
