Political Science: Core Concepts

• Political science studies politics and power from domestic, international, and comparative angles.
• It covers political ideas, ideologies, institutions, policies, processes, and behavior.
• It also examines groups, classes, government, diplomacy, law, strategy, and war.
• Political science uses qualitative and quantitative analysis, case studies, survey research, and modeling.
• At its core, it addresses governance, justice, and resource/power allocation.

Core Concepts

• Power is the ability to influence others' behavior.
• Authority is legitimate power accepted by society.
• Legitimacy is the belief in the right to govern for a rule, institution, or leader.
• Sovereignty is supreme authority within a territory.
• A state is a political organization with a monopoly on legitimate force in a territory.
• Government includes the institutions and processes that rule a state.
• Politics is the process of collective decision-making by groups.

Subfields of Political Science

• Political Theory explores philosophical foundations of politics, such as justice, liberty, and democracy from ancient Greece to contemporary thinkers
• Comparative Politics analyzes and compares political systems across nations to understand patterns and differences in institutions, behavior, and outcomes.
• International Relations focuses on interactions between states, international organizations, and other global actors.
• Public Administration studies government policy implementation and how public sector organizations are managed.
• Public Law examines law's role in politics, including constitutional, administrative, and criminal justice law.
• Political Behavior investigates attitudes, values, and behaviors in the political process like voting, public opinion, and participation.

Methodologies in Political Science

• Qualitative Research emphasizes understanding complex issues using case studies, interviews, and ethnographic research.
• Quantitative Research uses statistical analysis and models to identify patterns and test hypotheses.
• Formal Theory uses mathematical models and game theory to analyze strategic interactions.
• Experimental Research uses controlled experiments to isolate causal relationships.
• Survey Research collects data from individual samples via questionnaires or interviews.

Key Theories and Models

• Rational Choice Theory assumes individuals make rational decisions to maximize self-interest or utility.
• Game Theory analyzes strategic interactions where outcomes depend on others' actions.
• Behavioralism focuses on studying actual political behavior instead of just formal institutions or legal rules.
• Institutionalism emphasizes the role of institutions in shaping political behavior and outcomes.
• Constructivism emphasizes how ideas, norms, and identities shape political reality.
• Systems Theory views the political system as a complex network of interdependent parts, including interest groups, political parties, and individual voters.
• Critical Theory critiques power structures to promote social justice and emancipation.

Key Topics in Political Science

• Democracy encompasses different forms, transitions, and quality of democracy.
• Authoritarianism encompasses the types and dynamics of authoritarian regimes.
• Political Economy studies the relationship between politics and economics, including the state's role in the economy, trade, and development.
• Political Culture includes the values, beliefs, and attitudes that shape political behavior.
• Social Movements are collective efforts for or against social/political change.
• Identity Politics examines the role of identity in political mobilization and conflict.
• Conflict and Cooperation addresses the causes of war/peace and conditions for international cooperation.
• Public Policy examines how governments create and implement policies.

Important Concepts in Political Science

• A Political Ideology is a set of beliefs/values shaping one's view of the world and approach to politics (e.g., liberalism, conservatism, socialism).
• Political Socialization is how individuals acquire their political beliefs and values.
• Political Participation includes the different ways people engage in politics (e.g., voting, protesting, lobbying).
• Public Opinion includes the attitudes and beliefs of the public on political issues.
• Interest Groups are organized groups seeking to influence government policy.
• Political Parties are organized groups aiming to win elections and control the government.
• Civil Society is organized activity independent of the state and market.
• Global Governance includes various actors/processes that shape global policies and norms.

Contemporary Challenges in Political Science

• Political Polarization marks the increasing division of society into opposing ideological camps.
• Populism is an ideology appealing to ordinary people who feel ignored by elites.
• Democratic Backsliding is the decline in the quality of democracy, including the erosion of civil liberties and the rule of law.
• Climate Change presents political challenges in international cooperation and domestic policy.
• Inequality has political consequences due to rising income and wealth disparities.
• Cybersecurity involves challenges in protecting infrastructure/processes from cyberattacks.
• Globalization's impact on national sovereignty and domestic politics is a significant challenge.
• Terrorism presents the causes/consequences of terrorism and counterterrorism strategies.

Thinkers

• Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher, explored ideal government forms.
• Aristotle developed political systems theories and government classifications.
• Niccolò Machiavelli, a Renaissance philosopher, is known for writings on political strategy.
• Thomas Hobbes developed social contract theory, advocating for a strong central government.
• John Locke argued for natural rights and limited government.
• Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for popular sovereignty and the social contract.
• Karl Marx developed theories of capitalism, class struggle, and communism.
• Max Weber was a sociologist known for work on bureaucracy, rationalization, and the state.
• John Stuart Mill championed individual liberty and representative government.
• Hannah Arendt examined totalitarianism, power, and the human condition.
• John Rawls was a 20th-century political philosopher.

Relevance

• Political science provides insights into government, politics, and power, aiding understanding and addressing real-world challenges.
• It equips individuals with critical thinking skills and knowledge for informed citizenship/participation.
• It informs policy-making and helps improve governance locally, nationally, and globally.
• Studying political science prepares students for careers in government, law, journalism, business, and non-profits.
• It helps citizens become more involved in the political process.