Introduction to Politics

Study Notes

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.