Introduction to Politics

Definition and Scope

• Politics: the art and science of governing, involving the distribution of power and resources within a society
• Encompasses various aspects, including:
  • Government institutions and structures
  • Political ideologies and philosophies
  • Political behavior and participation
  • International relations and global governance

Political Systems

• Types of political systems:
  1. Democracy: power held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives
  2. Monarchy: power held by a single ruler, often hereditary
  3. Authoritarian: power held by a single person or group, often with limited individual freedoms
  4. Theocracy: power held by religious leaders or institutions
• Characteristics of political systems:
  • Sovereignty: the supreme power of a state to govern itself
  • Legitimacy: the perceived right of a government to exercise power
  • Accountability: the responsibility of government officials to the people

Political Ideologies

• Conservatism: emphasis on traditional values, individual freedom, and limited government intervention
• Liberalism: emphasis on individual rights, social justice, and government intervention to promote equality
• Socialism: emphasis on collective ownership, social welfare, and government intervention in the economy
• Fascism: emphasis on national unity, authoritarianism, and militarism
• Communism: emphasis on collective ownership, classless society, and abolition of private property

Political Institutions

• Executive: the branch of government responsible for enforcing laws and policies
• Legislative: the branch of government responsible for making laws
• Judicial: the branch of government responsible for interpreting laws
• Bureaucracy: the administrative structure of government, responsible for implementing policies

International Relations

• Sovereignty: the independence of states in international relations
• Global governance: the system of rules, institutions, and relationships that govern international relations
• International organizations: institutions that promote cooperation and coordination among states, such as the United Nations
• International law: the set of rules and norms that govern the behavior of states in international relations

Definition and Scope

• Politics involves the distribution of power and resources within a society.
• It encompasses various aspects, including government institutions, political ideologies, political behavior, and international relations.

Political Systems

• There are four types of political systems: democracy, monarchy, authoritarian, and theocracy.
• Democracy: power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
• Monarchy: power is held by a single ruler, often hereditary.
• Authoritarian: power is held by a single person or group, often with limited individual freedoms.
• Theocracy: power is held by religious leaders or institutions.
• Sovereignty refers to the supreme power of a state to govern itself.
• Legitimacy refers to the perceived right of a government to exercise power.
• Accountability refers to the responsibility of government officials to the people.

Political Ideologies

• Conservatism emphasizes traditional values, individual freedom, and limited government intervention.
• Liberalism emphasizes individual rights, social justice, and government intervention to promote equality.
• Socialism emphasizes collective ownership, social welfare, and government intervention in the economy.
• Fascism emphasizes national unity, authoritarianism, and militarism.
• Communism emphasizes collective ownership, a classless society, and the abolition of private property.

Political Institutions

• The Executive branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws and policies.
• The Legislative branch of government is responsible for making laws.
• The Judicial branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws.
• The Bureaucracy is the administrative structure of government, responsible for implementing policies.

International Relations

• Sovereignty refers to the independence of states in international relations.
• Global governance refers to the system of rules, institutions, and relationships that govern international relations.
• International organizations, such as the United Nations, promote cooperation and coordination among states.
• International law is the set of rules and norms that govern the behavior of states in international relations.