Political Science Key Concepts

• Anarchy refers to the absence of government and rules, potentially leading to chaos or self-governance.
• Behavioral studies in political science emphasize people's actions in politics, beyond just ideas.
• Big data involves using vast amounts of information to identify political trends.
• Causation indicates a direct relationship where one event leads to another.
• Correlation signifies a relationship between two events, but not necessarily a cause-and-effect link.
• Dependent variable represents the outcome or effect in an experiment.
• Experimental approach involves testing by altering conditions and observing results.
• Independent variable signifies the cause that influences the dependent variable.
• Institutional refers to the structures and rules, such as governments, that influence politics.
• Hierarchy is a system where power is distributed unevenly.
• John Locke advocated for natural rights to life, liberty, and property, influencing democratic thought.
• Normative delves into what politics should be, instead of what it is.
• Positivist emphasizes facts and data, not opinions.
• Qualitative uses words, like interviews and case studies, to examine politics.
• Quantitative uses numbers, like stats and surveys, to examine politics.
• Thomas Hobbes advocated for a strong government to maintain order and prevent chaos.

Subfields of Political Science

• Political Science Education
• American Government
• Comparative Politics
• Public Policy
• Political Methodology
• Political Theory
• International Theory

Political Aspects of Food

• Government policies impacting food production influence accessibility and affordability.
• Political discussions around GMOs, organic farming, and sustainability highlight ethical and environmental considerations.
• Food plays a role in social justice, evident in discussions about food deserts and agricultural worker treatment.
• Food choices can be a form of resistance through local food systems and ethical consumption.

Thomas Hobbes vs. John Locke View on Human Nature

• Thomas Hobbes viewed humans as inherently self-serving, thus needing a strong government for order, even at the cost of personal freedoms.
• John Locke saw humans as social and good, government is needed for social structure rather than security

Intuitionist vs. Rationalist

• Intuitionists base beliefs on feelings and instincts, even without evidence.
• An example of an intuitionist would form beliefs based on feelings and emotions rather than facts or logic.
• Rationalists rely on logic and evidence, accepting scientifically proven ideas. -An example of a rationalist would accept the world is round or that disasters are caused by complex factors, not just by feelings.

Correlation vs. Causation

• Correlation means that two things are related or happen at the same time, but one doesn’t necessarily cause the other.
• Causation means that one thing directly causes the other to happen.

Political Observation: Social Media Activism Among Youth

• Dependent Variable: Youth involvement in social media activism
• Independent Variables:
  • Declining trust in mainstream media
  • Ease of sharing via social media
  • Desire for unfiltered stories
• Expected Relationship: As trust in mainstream media decreases, youth participation in social media activism increases.