Overview of Political Science

Definition: The study of systems of governance, political activities, political thoughts, and political behavior.

Comparative Politics:
- Analyzes different political systems and their impacts.
- Examines political institutions, processes, and policies across countries.
International Relations:
- Studies interactions between states, international organizations, and non-state actors.
- Focuses on issues like conflict, cooperation, and diplomacy.
Political Theory:
- Explores ideas and philosophies related to politics.
- Examines concepts like justice, rights, and power through historical and contemporary lenses.
Public Administration:
- Investigates the implementation of government policy.
- Focuses on the role and operations of bureaucracies.
Public Policy:
- Explores the formulation, adoption, and evaluation of government policies.
- Analyzes factors that influence policy decisions.

Power: The capacity to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events.
Authority: Legitimized power recognized by the people; can be traditional, charismatic, or legal-rational.
State: A political entity with a defined territory, population, government, and the ability to enter relations with other states.
Sovereignty: Supreme authority within a territory; a state's ability to govern itself independently.

Quantitative Methods: Use of statistical analysis to test hypotheses and model political phenomena.
Qualitative Methods: In-depth analysis of political events, institutions, and decisions through interviews, case studies, and ethnography.

Public Opinion: The collective preferences and attitudes of citizens regarding political issues, parties, and candidates.
Political Participation: Activities through which citizens engage with the political process, including voting, campaigning, and activism.

Realism: Focuses on power and national interest in international relations; emphasizes conflict over cooperation.
Liberalism: Advocates for cooperation, democracy, and international institutions to manage global affairs.
Constructivism: Analyzes how social identities and constructs shape international relations.

Legislative Bodies: Institutions responsible for making laws (e.g., Congress in the U.S., Parliament in the U.K.).
Executive Branch: The branch responsible for enforcing laws and administering the government (e.g., President, Prime Minister).
Judiciary: The court system that interprets laws and adjudicates disputes.

Globalization: Increasing interdependence among states economically, politically, and culturally.
Populism: Political approach aimed at appealing to ordinary people, often characterizing elites as corrupt.
Environmental Politics: The growing importance of ecological issues in political agendas and policy-making.

The study of systems of governance, political activities, political thoughts, and political behavior.

Comparative Politics: Analyzes different political systems and their impacts on institutions, processes, and policies across countries.
International Relations: Studies interactions between states, international organizations, and non-state actors.
Political Theory: Explores ideas and philosophies related to politics and concepts like justice, rights, and power through historical and contemporary lenses.
Public Administration: Investigates the implementation of government policy and focuses on the role and operations of bureaucracies.
Public Policy: Explores the formulation, adoption, and evaluation of government policies.

Power: The capacity to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events.
Authority: Legitimized power recognized by the people; can be traditional, charismatic, or legal-rational.
State: A political entity with a defined territory, population, government, and the ability to enter relations with other states.
Sovereignty: Supreme authority within a territory; a state's ability to govern itself independently.

Quantitative Methods: Use of statistical analysis to test hypotheses and model political phenomena.
Qualitative Methods: In-depth analysis of political events, institutions, and decisions through interviews, case studies, and ethnography.

Public Opinion: The collective preferences and attitudes of citizens regarding political issues, parties, and candidates.
Political Participation: Activities through which citizens engage with the political process, including voting, campaigning, and activism.

Realism: Focuses on power and national interest in international relations; emphasizes conflict over cooperation.
Liberalism: Advocates for cooperation, democracy, and international institutions to manage global affairs.
Constructivism: Analyzes how social identities and constructs shape international relations.

Legislative Bodies: Institutions responsible for making laws (e.g., Congress in the U.S., Parliament in the U.K.).
Executive Branch: The branch responsible for enforcing laws and administering the government (e.g., President, Prime Minister).
Judiciary: The court system that interprets laws and adjudicates disputes.

Globalization: Increasing interdependence among states economically, politically, and culturally.
Populism: Political approach aimed at appealing to ordinary people, often characterizing elites as corrupt.
Environmental Politics: The growing importance of ecological issues in political agendas and policy-making.