Introduction to Political Science

Comparative Politics
- Examines and compares political systems and behaviors across different countries.
International Relations
- Focuses on the interactions between countries, including diplomacy, conflict, and trade.
Political Theory
- Explores ideas and philosophies behind political systems and practices.
Public Administration
- Studies the implementation of government policy and the management of public programs.
Public Policy
- Analyzes the creation, implementation, and effects of government policies.

State: The political entity with a defined territory, population, government, and sovereignty.
Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.
Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions.
Legitimacy: The right and acceptance of an authority, often a governing law or regime.

Democracy: Government by the people, typically through elected representatives.
Authoritarianism: Concentration of power in a leader or an elite not accountable to the public.
Totalitarianism: An extreme form of authoritarianism that seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.

Liberalism: Emphasizes individual freedoms, democracy, and the protection of human rights.
Conservatism: Advocates for traditional institutions and values, prioritizing stability and order.
Socialism: Seeks social ownership and democratic control of the means of production.
Fascism: A far-right authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power and strong centralized control.

Voting: The process by which individuals choose representatives in elections.
Political Participation: Involvement in activities such as campaigning, advocacy, and community organizing.
Public Opinion: The aggregate of individual attitudes or beliefs about a particular issue or candidate.

Qualitative Methods: In-depth understanding of political phenomena through interviews, case studies, etc.
Quantitative Methods: Use of statistical analysis to understand patterns and relationships in political data.
Mixed Methods: Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches for comprehensive analysis.

Focuses on politics, government structures, and political behavior analysis.
Investigates political activities, ideologies, institutions, and the functioning of political processes.

Comparative Politics: Analyzes and compares various political systems and their behaviors globally.
International Relations: Studies how countries interact, covering aspects like diplomacy, conflict resolution, and trade relations.
Political Theory: Examines the philosophical underpinnings of political systems and ideologies.
Public Administration: Investigates how government policies are enacted and how public services are managed.
Public Policy: Evaluates the processes involved in creating, implementing, and assessing governmental policies.

State: A defined political unit characterized by territory, population, governance, and sovereignty.
Sovereignty: Represents a state's ability to govern independently, free from outside interference.
Power: The capacity to affect the actions of individuals or organizations.
Legitimacy: Refers to the recognized right of authority, underpinning the acceptance of laws and regimes.

Democracy: Governance system characterized by citizen participation through elected representatives.
Authoritarianism: Centralized power held by a leader or elite group, often lacking public accountability.
Totalitarianism: A form of authoritarianism that seeks to dominate every aspect of life, both public and private.

Liberalism: Advocates for individual liberties, democratic governance, and human rights protections.
Conservatism: Supports traditional values and institutions, emphasizing stability and order.
Socialism: Promotes social ownership and democratic management of economic resources.
Fascism: An extreme authoritarian ideology characterized by dictatorial power and nationalistic tendencies.

Voting: Mechanism through which individuals select their representatives during elections.
Political Participation: Engaging in actions like campaigning, community organizing, and advocating for causes.
Public Opinion: The collective attitudes and beliefs of the populace regarding specific issues or political figures.

Qualitative Methods: Provide deep insights into political phenomena through techniques like interviews and case studies.
Quantitative Methods: Employ statistical tools to identify patterns and relationships in political datasets.
Mixed Methods: Integrate both qualitative and quantitative strategies for a holistic research approach.

Growing emphasis on globalization and its implications for national sovereignty.
Increasing influence of populist movements challenging established political norms.
Rising significance of environmental issues in political discourse and policy formulation.

Machiavelli: Explored themes of power and political manipulation in governance.
John Locke: Proposed the idea of natural rights and the concept of a social contract.
Max Weber: Introduced fundamental theories regarding authority, bureaucracy, and governance legitimacy.
Karl Marx: Critiqued capitalist systems, focusing on class struggles and economic inequalities.