Overview of Political Science

Definition: The study of systems of governance, political activities, political thought, and political behavior.
Branches:
1. Political Theory: Examines ideas and philosophies underpinning political systems (e.g., justice, rights, power).
2. Comparative Politics: Analyzes different political systems and governments across countries.
3. International Relations: Studies relationships between countries, including diplomacy, conflict, and global issues.
4. Public Administration: Focuses on the implementation of government policy and the management of public agencies.
5. Political Methodology: Involves techniques for empirical research and statistical analysis in politics.

State: A political entity with a defined territory, population, and government.
Sovereignty: The authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.
Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of others.
Legitimacy: The recognized right of a government to hold authority, derived from consent, tradition, or legal rules.
Democracy: A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

Executive: Branch responsible for implementing laws and policies (e.g., president, prime minister).
Legislature: Body responsible for making laws (e.g., parliament, congress).
Judiciary: System of courts that interprets and applies the law.
Bureaucracy: Administrative system that manages public policies and services.

Liberalism: Emphasizes individual freedoms, democracy, and the protection of human rights.
Conservatism: Advocates for traditional values and institutions, often resisting change.
Socialism: Focuses on social equity and collective governance over production and distribution.
Fascism: Authoritarian and nationalistic system emphasizing strong centralized power and suppression of opposition.

Social Contract Theory: Philosophical idea that individuals consent to form societies and governments, surrendering some freedoms for protection.
Pluralism: Theory that multiple groups with differing interests compete for power and influence in a democracy.
Realism (International Relations): Focuses on the competitive and conflictual nature of international relations, emphasizing power politics.

Globalization: Increasing interconnectedness affecting state sovereignty and governance.
Populism: Political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people, often against established elites.
Political Polarization: The growing ideological divide and partisanship in politics globally.

Qualitative Methods: Include interviews, case studies, and ethnographic research to gather in-depth insights.
Quantitative Methods: Utilize statistical techniques and surveys to analyze patterns and trends in political behavior.

Political Science studies systems of government, political activities, political thought, and political behavior.
Branches of Political Science include:
- Political Theory examines ideas and philosophies behind political systems, focusing on justice, rights, and power.
- Comparative Politics analyzes different political systems and governments across countries.
- International Relations focuses on relationships between countries, including diplomacy, conflict, and global issues.
- Public Administration focuses on the implementation of government policy and the management of public agencies.
- Political Methodology involves techniques for empirical research and statistical analysis in politics.

State is a political entity with a defined territory, population, and government.
Sovereignty is the state's authority to govern itself without outside interference.
Power is the ability to influence or control the behavior of others.
Legitimacy is the recognized right of a government to hold authority, derived from consent, tradition, or legal rules.
Democracy is a system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

Executive branch implements laws and policies (e.g., president, prime minister).
Legislature makes laws (e.g., parliament, congress).
Judiciary interprets and applies the law.
Bureaucracy manages public policies and services.

Liberalism emphasizes individual freedoms, democracy, and human rights protection.
Conservatism advocates for traditional values and institutions, often resisting change.
Socialism focuses on social equity and collective governance over production and distribution.
Fascism is an authoritarian and nationalistic system emphasizing strong centralized power and suppression of opposition.

Social Contract Theory suggests individuals consent to form societies and governments, sacrificing some freedoms for protection.
Pluralism states that multiple groups with differing interests compete for power and influence in a democracy.
Realism (International Relations) focuses on the competitive and conflictual nature of international relations, emphasizing power politics.

Globalization is increasing interconnectedness, affecting state sovereignty and governance.
Populism is a political approach representing the interests of ordinary people, often against established elites.
Political Polarization reflects the growing ideological divide and partisanship in politics globally.

Qualitative Methods include interviews, case studies, and ethnographic research for in-depth insights.
Quantitative Methods utilize statistical techniques and surveys to analyze patterns and trends in political behavior.