Overview of Political Science

Definition: The study of government systems, political behavior, and political ideologies.
Objective: To understand how political power is distributed and exercised.

Comparative Politics
- Analyzes different political systems and their functions.
- Focuses on comparisons between countries.
International Relations
- Examines interactions between nations.
- Key topics include diplomacy, conflict, and international organizations.
Political Theory
- Explores fundamental political ideas and philosophies.
- Key philosophers include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Marx.
Public Administration
- Studies the implementation of government policy.
- Focuses on the functioning of government agencies.
Public Policy
- Analyzes the creation and effects of laws and regulations.
- Examines the policy-making process.

Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions.
Authority: Legitimate power recognized by society.
Legitimacy: Public acceptance of the government’s right to rule.
Sovereignty: Supreme authority within a territory.

Democracy: System where government officials are elected by the public.
Autocracy: Power concentrated in the hands of a single individual or small group.
Oligarchy: Control by a small group based on wealth or political power.
Theocracy: Government based on religious authority.

Liberalism: Emphasizes individual rights and freedoms.
Conservatism: Advocates for tradition and maintaining established institutions.
Socialism: Calls for social ownership and democratic control of the means of production.
Fascism: Authoritarian and nationalistic system, often led by a dictatorial leader.

Qualitative Methods: In-depth interviews, case studies, and ethnography.
Quantitative Methods: Surveys, statistical analysis, and experiments.
Mixed Methods: Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches for comprehensive analysis.

Realism: Focuses on power and national interests in international relations.
Liberalism: Highlights cooperation and international institutions.
Constructivism: Emphasizes the impact of social constructs on international relations.

Political Parties: Organizations that represent specific ideologies and seek to gain power.
Elections: Processes through which citizens choose their representatives.
Legislatures: Bodies responsible for making laws (e.g., Congress, Parliament).
Judiciaries: Courts that interpret laws and ensure justice.

The study involves understanding government systems, political behavior, and ideologies.
Aims to clarify the distribution and exercise of political power.

Comparative Politics: Investigates diverse political systems to identify functioning patterns and outcomes across countries.
International Relations: Looks into how nations interact, focusing on diplomacy, conflict, and organizations that facilitate international cooperation.
Political Theory: Engages with foundational political concepts proposed by theorists like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Marx, shaping contemporary thought.
Public Administration: Concerned with how government policies are implemented and how agencies operate effectively.
Public Policy: Studies the process of policy creation, including its formulation and effects on society.

Power: Capacity to influence actions of individuals or organizations.
Authority: Recognized and legitimate form of power accepted by society.
Legitimacy: The public's perception that government holds the rightful authority to rule.
Sovereignty: The ultimate authority over a geographic area or population.

Democracy: Public elections determine government officials and policies.
Autocracy: Governance characterized by centralized power held by one leader or a small group.
Oligarchy: Control exercised by a select group based on wealth or political leverage.
Theocracy: Rule is rooted in religious authority and follows religious laws.

Liberalism: Advocates for civil liberties and individual freedoms as paramount.
Conservatism: Emphasizes tradition, preserving existing institutions rather than radical change.
Socialism: Seeks to establish collective or governmental ownership of production means to ensure social equity.
Fascism: Promotes authoritarian governance often led by a dictatorial figure, focusing on nationalism.

Qualitative Methods: Techniques like interviews and case studies that give in-depth insights into political phenomena.
Quantitative Methods: Employs surveys and statistical analysis to draw conclusions from numerical data.
Mixed Methods: Integrates both qualitative and quantitative techniques for well-rounded research outcomes.

Realism: Centers on national interests and power dynamics in global politics.
Liberalism: Focuses on the importance of cooperation and the role of institutions in fostering peace.
Constructivism: Examines how social constructs and ideas shape international relations.

Heightened focus on global challenges such as climate change and terrorism affecting policy priorities.
Increased rise of populism and nationalism altering political landscapes worldwide.
The pervasive role of technology and social media as influential factors in political discourse and mobilization.

Political Parties: Structures that represent specific ideologies and strive for political dominance.
Elections: Mechanisms through which citizens select their representatives and influence governance.
Legislatures: Entities responsible for enacting and revising laws; examples include Congress and Parliament.
Judiciaries: Legal bodies that interpret laws and affirm justice within a political system.

The Arab Spring significantly reshaped political dynamics in the Middle East, leading to widespread change.
Brexit represents a pivotal moment in European integration, affecting relations within the EU framework.
COVID-19 introduced unprecedented challenges to global governance and political authority.