Political Science Overview

Political Science: The systematic study of political institutions, processes, behavior, and power dynamics.

Political Theory
- Examines fundamental questions about justice, rights, and the role of the state.
- Includes works by philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
Comparative Politics
- Analyzes political systems and behavior across different countries.
- Focuses on regime types (democracies vs. autocracies), political development, and governance.
International Relations
- Studies interactions between states and non-state actors.
- Key concepts include power dynamics, diplomacy, conflict, and international organizations.
Public Administration
- Focuses on the implementation of government policy and the functioning of public agencies.
- Examines bureaucratic behavior, accountability, and public service ethics.
Public Policy
- Investigates how policies are formulated, adopted, and evaluated.
- Includes analysis of policy-making processes and effects on society.

Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions.
Authority: The recognized right to make decisions and enforce rules.
Legitimacy: The general belief that a government has the right to rule.
Sovereignty: The supreme authority of a state to govern itself.
Political Ideologies: Sets of beliefs about politics and society (e.g., liberalism, conservatism, socialism).

Qualitative Methods: Interviews, case studies, and content analysis to gather non-numerical data.
Quantitative Methods: Surveys, statistical analysis, and experiments to analyze numerical data.
Comparative Method: Systematic comparison of political entities to identify patterns and causal relationships.

Realism: Views international politics as a struggle for power among self-interested states.
Liberalism: Emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, and the role of non-state actors.
Constructivism: Focuses on the impact of social constructs, identities, and norms on political behavior.

Rise of populism and nationalism in various regions.
Impact of globalization on state sovereignty and policy-making.
Increasing importance of environmental politics and sustainability.
The role of technology and social media in political communication and mobilization.

Political science informs public policy development, international relations, and civic engagement.
It provides analytical tools for understanding and addressing societal issues.

Political Science: Systematic examination of political institutions, processes, behaviors, and power dynamics.

Political Theory: Explores justice, rights, and state roles; influential thinkers include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
Comparative Politics: Studies political systems globally, assessing democracies and autocracies, political development, and governance.
International Relations: Investigates state and non-state actor interactions, emphasizing power dynamics, diplomacy, conflict, and organizations.
Public Administration: Analyzes government policy implementation, bureaucratic behavior, accountability, and ethics in public service.
Public Policy: Focuses on policy formulation, adoption, and evaluation, including societal impacts and decision-making processes.

Power: Capacity to influence or control actions and institutions.
Authority: Legitimized right to make decisions.
Legitimacy: Public belief in a government's right to rule.
Sovereignty: State's supreme authority over itself.
Political Ideologies: Frameworks of beliefs regarding politics and society, including liberalism, conservatism, and socialism.

Qualitative Methods: Utilize interviews, case studies, and content analysis for non-numerical insights.
Quantitative Methods: Employ surveys and statistical analyses to interpret numerical data.
Comparative Method: Compares political entities systematically to uncover patterns and causal links.

Realism: Views international relations through the lens of power struggles among self-interested states.
Liberalism: Highlights cooperation, the significance of international institutions, and non-state actors' roles.
Constructivism: Emphasizes the influence of social constructs and norms on political behaviors.

Present rise in populism and nationalism across various countries.
Globalization's impact on state sovereignty and governance.
Growing emphasis on environmental politics and sustainability issues.
Technology and social media's vital role in political communication and mobilization initiatives.

Political science principles support public policy formation, international relations, and enhance civic engagement.
Provides analytical tools for addressing and understanding societal challenges.