Political Science: Key Concepts and Themes
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Questions and Answers

What is the title of the book?

  • Introduction to Political Systems
  • Politics: An Introduction (correct)
  • Political Science Essentials
  • An Introduction to Government

    • Who are the authors of the book?

    George A. MacLean, Duncan R. Wood, Lori Turnbull

    The book was first published in 2010.

    True

    This book is published by __________.

    <p>Oxford University Press</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the essential questions the book addresses?

    <p>Who has power in society, and why?</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following topics is covered in the book?

    <p>International Politics and Foreign Policy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many editions of the book have been published?

    <p>Three</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The government structure in Canada is best described as a __________ system.

    <p>federal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main objective of the authors in writing this book?

    <p>To provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive introduction to the study of politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the major approaches, concepts, and themes explored in the study of politics?

    <p>Power, government, the state, legitimacy, equality and justice, and sovereignty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Chapter 3 overview in the context of political philosophy?

    <p>Major schools of thought used in political science, such as liberalism, socialism, communism, conservatism, environmentalism, feminism, post-colonial thought, nationalism, and fascism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which types of government systems are compared in Chapter 5?

    <p>Parliamentary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Chapter 4 discusses only liberal democracies.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant topic is discussed in Chapter 10 regarding the developing world?

    <p>The diverse approaches and perspectives regarding the development process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which themes are examined in Chapter 12 related to global insecurity?

    <p>War</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Chapter 11 approach the study of state and sovereignty?

    <p>It examines current themes and issues in global politics, including globalization and diplomacy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text emphasizes the importance of ____ in political studies.

    <p>critical thinking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following political ideologies with their descriptions:

    <p>Liberalism = Emphasis on individual rights and freedoms Socialism = Focus on social ownership and egalitarianism Feminism = Advocacy for women's rights and equality Nationalism = Strong identification with one's nation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which chapter are key terms and definitions emphasized?

    <p>Key Features Section</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the key concepts upon which modern states in the Western world are based?

    <p>Defined territorial boundaries, rule of law, sovereignty, and legitimacy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Modern state rule in the Western context is personal.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are considered subfields of political studies?

    <p>All of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _____ approach views political studies as an empirical discipline based on observation.

    <p>analytical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the post-behaviouralist approach attempt to incorporate into political analysis?

    <p>Values and ideology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes political economy?

    <p>It explores the relationship between people, government, and the economy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The behaviouralist approach focuses heavily on values and ethics in political analysis.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the main objective of behaviouralism in political studies?

    <p>To establish political science as a scientific and objective discipline.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following political approaches with their descriptions:

    <p>Analytical Approach = Views politics as an empirical discipline Behaviouralism = Focuses on tangible aspects of political life Post-behaviouralism = Incorporates values and ideologies into analysis Structural-functionalism = Examines roles of political structures in society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What year did Freedom House start publishing its annual report on freedom and openness?

    <p>1973</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is comparative politics?

    <p>A field of political studies that compares different systems of political authority.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Humans are often described as political _____ because they can consider just and unjust actions.

    <p>animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's culture or group is inferior to others.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which analysis method compares systems that appear to be similar but have identifiable differences?

    <p>Most similar systems</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the levels of analysis approach suggest?

    <p>Include multiple perspectives for comprehensive analysis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does post-colonial theory reflect on?

    <p>The social, economic, and cultural legacies of colonial rule</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are multinational corporations (MNCs)?

    <p>Corporate bodies that operate in more than one country.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is globalization?

    <p>Intensification of relations across borders</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is power defined?

    <p>The ability to achieve goals in a political system and to have others do as you wish them to</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significant change in political involvement during the 1960s?

    <p>The baby boomers questioned traditional societal norms and became actively involved in social movements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Dalai Lama controls a military and has significant wealth.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does citizenship entail?

    <p>Formal membership in a state with associated rights and responsibilities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do interest groups represent?

    <p>Common interests of diverse groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which four provinces first formed Confederation in Canada?

    <p>Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary focus of political studies?

    <p>Formal study of politics within and among nations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What idea did Thomas Hobbes suggest about life without society?

    <p>Life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Politics seeks to create ____ in society.

    <p>order</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Political studies are directly aligned with specific career paths.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Political studies = Formal study of politics within and among nations Conflict = Differences in preferred outcomes among social groups Government = Institutions and people responsible for carrying out the affairs and administration of a political system Anarchism = Ideology that fits the opinion of better off without government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are public goods?

    <p>Benefits provided by the government to all citizens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is meant by 'political freedom'?

    <p>The ability to participate in the electoral process and express views.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are three responsibilities of citizenship?

    <p>Obeying the law, taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family, serving on a jury.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the meaning of the Remembrance Day poppy?

    <p>To remember the sacrifice of Canadians who have served or died in wars up to the present day.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are members of Parliament chosen?

    <p>They are elected by voters in their local constituency (riding).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is multiculturalism?

    <p>The peaceful coexistence of multiple racial, cultural, or ethnic identities in one nation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Canada's population becoming citizens?

    <p>Approximately 160,000 people become Canadian citizens each year.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been used to describe Canadian society?

    <p>A mosaic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Citizenship is a relationship between the state and the ______.

    <p>citizen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many types of citizenship responsibilities were outlined?

    <p>Three.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does political studies examine?

    <p>All of the above.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which key figures are associated with Liberalism?

    <p>John Locke</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Conservatism emphasizes rapid change and innovation.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do Socialists prioritize?

    <p>Social equality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one key figure associated with Feminism.

    <p>Simone de Beauvoir</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Political Realism views international relations through a lens of ______.

    <p>competition and conflict</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a variety of Socialism?

    <p>Democratic Socialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Feminism analyzes power dynamics and patriarchal structures in society.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Edmund Burke is a key figure in which philosophy?

    <p>Conservatism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    ### Politics as a Study

    • The book aims to introduce students to the study of politics through an engaging and comprehensive approach.
    • It presents the core questions about politics, including how power is distributed, the role of individual and group participation in governance, and the nature of different political systems.
    • The book emphasizes conflicting perspectives on political concepts, encouraging students to critically evaluate their own assumptions.

    Organization of the Book

    • Chapter 1 establishes a foundation by explaining the essence of politics and the scope of political studies, covering key approaches, concepts, and issues.
    • Chapters 2 and 3 delve deeper into foundational political concepts like power, government, and legitimacy, as well as the major schools of political thought (liberalism, socialism, conservatism, etc.).
    • Chapters 4, 5, and 6 explore the significance and responsibilities of government, encompassing its structure, branches (executive, legislative, judiciary), and roles in society.

    Key Topics and Themes

    • The book emphasizes the relevance of political concepts to everyday life.
    • It explores the complexities of citizenship and its particular significance in Canada.
    • The book promotes critical thinking about political systems, ideologies, and the role of government.
    • The text aims to challenge students' assumptions about politics and encourage them to question their own viewpoints.

    Introduction to the Study of Politics

    • Political studies examines the power dynamics and structures within societies, both domestic and international.

    • Politics affects everyone's daily lives in various ways, whether directly or indirectly.

    • Active participation in politics is crucial for informed decision-making and holding elected officials accountable.

    • Healthy skepticism is encouraged in political studies, but cynicism without engagement is unproductive.

    • Critical approaches delve into assumptions about power structures, questioning traditional theories and exploring diverse perspectives like feminism, Marxism, and post-colonial theory.

    • Political studies aims to create a more inclusive and representative political world.

    Power and Politics

    • Power refers to the ability to achieve goals within a political system and influence others.

    • Power can manifest in various forms, including leadership, wealth, military might, personal charisma, and collective action.

    • Influence is the ability to sway the behavior of others indirectly, without direct power over them.

    • Individuals and groups can exert influence through various means like protests, interest groups, and advocacy.

    • The study of power explores the different ways it is generated, utilized, and contested in society.

    Introduction to Political Studies

    • Political studies, a branch of social sciences, focuses on the formal study of power dynamics within and between nations.
    • The field explores how political systems are structured, how decisions are made, and how individuals and communities interact within these systems.
    • Understanding politics provides crucial insights into our surroundings, helping us decipher events and decisions that significantly impact our lives.

    The Scope of Politics

    • Politics encompasses a wide range of activities and influences, including decision-making processes, the allocation of resources, and the role of government institutions.
    • Politics seeks to establish order and create a framework for societal interactions, offering a means of survival for individuals and communities.
    • The study of politics acknowledges that the pursuit of order often leads to conflict and controversy, particularly regarding the distribution of benefits and responsibilities.

    Understanding Power

    • Politics is inherently tied to power, encompassing the ability to influence and shape events.
    • Harold Lasswell’s famous question, "Politics: Who Gets What, When, How?", highlights the key factors in the distribution of power and resources.

    Public Goods

    • Public goods are resources provided by the government for the benefit of all citizens, including social welfare, economic efficiency, and security.
    • The availability and quality of public goods are often influenced by the type of government system in place.

    Freedom and the State

    • Freedom House, a global NGO, categorizes countries as "free," "partly free," or "not free" based on their political freedom, human rights, and openness.

    Political Actors

    • The pursuit of scarce resources, including material goods and intangible benefits like influence, leads to competition and division among political actors.

    Decision-Making

    • Governments play a crucial role in allocating resources through various decision-making processes, shaped by political actors and their objectives.

    The Rule of Law

    • Decisions made through the political process are enforced through the rule of law, ensuring a framework for regulating and maintaining social order.

    The State and Government

    • The state, a key element in political studies, encompasses legal institutions with legitimate authority to use force within its jurisdiction.
    • The elected government is a part of the state apparatus, responsible for implementing policies and legislation within the state's framework.

    Key Concepts in the Modern State

    • Defined territorial boundaries, rule of law, sovereignty, legitimacy, and the use of bureaucratic structures, judicial systems, and militaries are key characteristics of modern states.
    • Modern Western states transitioned from systems based on kinship, monarchy, religion, or feudalism, adopting an impersonal model of rule.

    The Value of Studying Politics

    • Political Studies provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the complexities of political systems, exploring competition, conflict resolution, resource allocation, and the exercise of power.
    • It recognizes the historical evolution of political thought and diverse perspectives on governance and the role of the state.

    Subfields in Political Studies

    • Canadian Politics: Focuses on political institutions, policies, and debates within Canada.
    • Comparative Politics: Employs empirical comparisons to analyze and understand different political systems and phenomena.
    • International Relations/Global Politics: Examines political, economic, and legal developments on the global stage, particularly focusing on relationships between countries.
    • Political Philosophy: Analyzes the theoretical foundations of political thought, exploring concepts of justice, liberty, and the nature of government

    Conclusion

    • Political studies plays a vital role in understanding the complexities of power, governance, and society.
    • It offers valuable insights into how decisions are made, how resources are distributed, and how individuals and communities interact within political systems.

    Political Science Disciplines

    • Political science is the study of government, power allocation, and political actor relationships in society.
    • Other social science disciplines include economics, education, sociology, law, psychology, anthropology, social geography, and linguistics.
    • Each discipline has unique areas of interest, theories, and frameworks.

    Political Science Approaches

    • The analytical approach views political science as empirical, based on observation and experiment, and holistic.
    • Behaviouralism emerged to make political science more scientific, focusing on "tangible" aspects of political life.
    • Post-behaviouralism responded to limitations of behaviouralism by recognizing values and ideology.

    Structural-Functionalism and Systems Theory

    • Structural-functionalism emphasizes the role and function of political structures in society.
    • Systems theory views politics as a dynamic interaction system between political structures and individual action, such as government, groups, and individuals.

    Behaviouralists and Political Science

    • The launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 increased funding for science, leading to a focus on making political science more scientific.
    • Behaviouralists used the scientific method to observe, test, and measure political events.
    • While challenges remain, behaviouralism has contributed valuable methods such as hypothesis testing and falsification to political science.

    Political Economy Approach

    • Political economy views political and economic spheres as intertwined, and politics as the relationship between people, government, and the economy.
    • Focuses on how interests are identified and pursued, revealing power dynamics and influence in a system.

    Key Political Science Questions

    • Five fundamental questions drive political science:
      • What is the political issue?
      • Who's involved?
      • How did events unfold?
      • Why did events occur?
      • How was society affected?

    Globalisation and Political Change

    • Constant change is a defining characteristic of the political landscape, driven by factors like globalization, global security threats, new political forces, a deeper understanding of global issues, and increased interconnectivity.
    • These changes present both challenges and opportunities for understanding the political realm.

    Division and Connection in a Changing World

    • While globalization fosters connection, it also creates divisions, such as ethnic and religious conflict, wealth inequality, economic protectionism, and political isolationism.

    Comparative Politics

    • Comparative politics examines different political systems and processes through various methods, including: comparing countries at the same time, comparing systems over time, and comparing individual systems over time.
    • Most similar systems identify differences within seemingly similar systems.
    • Most different systems analyze dissimilar systems with shared outcomes.
    • Comparative politics helps understand political systems in relative terms and avoids ethnocentrism.

    Levels of Analysis in Political Science

    • Political science uses multiple levels of analysis, including the individual, groups, the state, and the international system, to provide a more comprehensive view of political phenomena.
    • This approach recognizes the complexity of political studies, acknowledging that no single perspective can fully capture the intricate web of political events.

    Political Studies in Everyday Life

    • Politics permeates all aspects of life, from the family unit to religion, business, sports, and entertainment.
    • Politics influences everyday decisions, affecting health, social care, laws, and the provision of goods and services.
    • It shapes how societies are organized, who controls them, and how individuals benefit from collective gains.

    McDonald's in Moscow: A Case Study

    • The arrival of McDonald's in Moscow in 1990 symbolized the confluence of two contrasting political and economic systems.
    • It exemplified globalization, showcasing the intersection of multinational corporations and market-driven products within a closed political order.

    Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

    • Multinational corporations are corporate bodies that operate in more than one country.

    Division and Connection

    • Division and connection are coexistent forces that highlight the paradox of how we may feel more connected to others globally, while simultaneously facing greater confusion and enmity due to misunderstandings.

    Involvement: Apathy to Action

    • Successive generations have been criticized for their lack of interest in political affairs, often based on a false nostalgia for the past.
    • Political involvement today is different from the past, particularly prior to the 1960s.
    • The baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) ushered in a period of change when they became young adults, questioning authority and societal norms, pushing for social justice, and a more equitable global order.
    • The 1960s did not change everything, but significant changes occurred in areas like civil rights, women's rights, environmental awareness, nuclear proliferation, and government transparency.
    • Today's younger generation remains involved in politics, often through volunteer work, social media campaigns, and traditional political processes.

    Domestic and International Politics

    • Political studies is not confined to borders and examines both domestic and international politics.
    • Domestic politics focuses on the politics, governance, and administration of national governments and individual countries.
    • International politics, also known as international relations or world politics, takes a wider view, examining political relations between countries and their impact on domestic politics.
    • International politics encompasses social, environmental, economic, military, and cultural relations across the globe.

    Citizens and Canada

    • New immigrants to Canada must pass a citizenship test covering Canadian history, politics, economics, geography, and citizenship privileges.
    • Citizenship denotes membership in a political system, with associated rights and responsibilities.
    • Canadian citizenship includes a range of rights and freedoms such as legal rights, equality rights, mobility rights, Indigenous peoples' rights, the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.
    • Responsibilities of Canadian citizenship include respecting others' rights and freedoms, obeying the law, and preserving Canada's heritage and environment.
    • Approximately 160,000 people become Canadian citizens annually, highlighting the significance of immigration in Canada.
    • Canadian society is often described as a multicultural mosaic, with various ethnic and cultural groups coexisting peacefully.

    Citizenship Quiz

    • The Canadian Citizenship Test covers various areas of Canadian life and history.

    Conclusion

    • Political studies focuses on decision-making processes and the distribution of benefits.
    • The discipline addresses conflict resolution and the nature of conflict itself.

    Finding a Common Vocabulary: Political Concepts

    • Political concepts are abstract ideas that are encapsulated in a specialized vocabulary.
    • The specialized vocabulary in political studies helps to avoid misinterpretations and facilitate meaningful conversations among scholars.

    Concepts

    • Concepts are general notions or abstract ideas.
    • Political studies often uses specific interpretations of concepts that differ from everyday use.

    Liberalism

    • Emphasizes individual freedom, autonomy, and political equality.
    • Advocates for a democratic system of governance, where power resides with the people.
    • Supports civil rights, free markets, and limited government intervention in personal and economic affairs.
    • Key figures include John Locke, who emphasized natural rights and limited government, John Stuart Mill, who promoted individual liberty and free speech, and Thomas Jefferson, who championed individual liberty, self-governance, and democratic principles.
    • Two main varieties include classical liberalism, which focuses on individual liberty and limited government, and social liberalism, which emphasizes social justice and expanded government intervention in areas like education and healthcare.

    Conservatism

    • Values tradition, social stability, and continuity, emphasizing established institutions and customs.
    • Often wary of rapid change and social upheaval, believing that gradual change and preserving existing structures are essential for a stable society.
    • Advocating for a mixed economy, where both government and private enterprise play a role.
    • Key figures include Edmund Burke, who argued for gradual change and respect for established social structures, and Michael Oakeshott, who emphasized the importance of tradition and the dangers of utopianism.

    Socialism

    • Advocates for collective or government ownership of production and resources, believing that this will help achieve social equality and alleviate inequality.
    • Critiques capitalism for creating inequality and exploitation, arguing that it leads to a concentration of wealth in the hands of a few while the majority struggle.
    • Varieties include democratic socialism, which aims to achieve socialist goals through democratic methods, and Marxism, a more revolutionary ideology advocating for a socialist revolution to overthrow capitalism.
    • Key figures include Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who developed the theory of historical materialism, and Rosa Luxemburg, a prominent Marxist thinker and revolutionary.

    Feminism

    • Focuses on gender equality and women's rights, advocating for legal, social, and political equality for women.
    • Analyzes power dynamics and patriarchal structures in society, highlighting how gender roles and inequalities perpetuate sexism and disadvantage women.
    • Varieties include liberal feminism, which aims to achieve equality through legal and political reforms, radical feminism, which seeks to dismantle patriarchal structures, and intersectional feminism, which focuses on the ways that different systems of oppression intersect, such as race, class, and sexuality.
    • Key figures include Simone de Beauvoir, who wrote extensively about the existential situation of women, Betty Friedan, who wrote about the "feminine mystique" and the limitations placed on women in society, and bell hooks, who wrote about the intersectionality of race and gender.

    Political Realism

    • Emphasizes the role of power and self-interest in politics, viewing international relations through a lens of competition and conflict.
    • Skeptical of idealism and moralism in political decision-making, believing that states act in their own self-interest and prioritize national security.
    • Suggests that human nature is inherently self-serving and that political leaders should focus on acquiring and maintaining power.
    • Key figures include Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote about the need for rulers to be ruthless and pragmatic to maintain power, and Hans Morgenthau, who developed the theory of political realism in the 20th century.

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