Political Science Overview and Theories

Definition: Exploration of fundamental political ideas and principles.
Key Concepts:
- Justice: Theoretical frameworks for understanding fairness.
- Power: Analysis of authority and influence in society.
- Legitimacy: The rightfulness of authority and governance.
- Democracy: Various models and theories regarding democratic governance.
Prominent Theorists: Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx.

Definition: Study of different political systems and their comparisons.
Methods:
- Qualitative Analysis: In-depth examination of specific cases.
- Quantitative Analysis: Statistical methods to analyze and compare political phenomena.
Key Areas:
- Political systems: Democracies, autocracies, and hybrid regimes.
- Electoral systems: Impact on political representation and governance.
- Political culture: The role of societal norms and values in politics.

Definition: The process of creating and implementing government policies.
Stages of Policy Making:
- Agenda Setting: Identifying issues that require government action.
- Policy Formulation: Developing proposals to address identified issues.
- Policy Adoption: Officially enacting policies through legislation or regulation.
- Policy Implementation: Execution of adopted policies.
- Policy Evaluation: Assessing the effectiveness and impact of policies.
Key Concepts:
- Stakeholders: Individuals or groups affected by policy decisions.
- Public Interest: The welfare of the general public in policy-making.

Definition: The study of relationships between countries and global issues.
Theories:
- Realism: Focus on power and national interests.
- Liberalism: Emphasizes cooperation and international institutions.
- Constructivism: The role of social constructs and identities in international relations.
Key Topics:
- Globalization: Economic, political, and cultural interconnectedness.
- Conflict and Security: Causes of war, peacekeeping, and international security.
- International Organizations: Role of the UN, NATO, and other entities.

Definition: Examination of how individuals and groups engage in political processes.
Key Areas:
- Voting Behavior: Factors influencing electoral participation (e.g., demographics, socio-economic status).
- Political Participation: Forms include voting, activism, and civic engagement.
- Public Opinion: How beliefs and attitudes impact politics and policy.
- Political Socialization: Process through which individuals acquire political beliefs and values, influenced by family, education, and media.

Definition: Examines fundamental political ideas and principles.
Key Concepts:
- Justice: Frameworks to understand fairness in society.
- Power: Authority and influence analysis within communities.
- Legitimacy: Assessing the rightful claim of authority and governance.
- Democracy: Explores various models and theories pertinent to democratic governance.
Prominent Theorists: Notable philosophers include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Marx.

Definition: Investigates and compares different political systems.
Methods:
- Qualitative Analysis: In-depth exploration of specific case studies.
- Quantitative Analysis: Utilizes statistical techniques to understand and compare political phenomena.
Key Areas:
- Political Systems: Differentiates between democracies, autocracies, and hybrid regimes.
- Electoral Systems: Analyzes their impact on political representation and governance.
- Political Culture: Examines how societal norms and values influence politics.

Definition: Involves the creation and implementation of government policies.
Stages of Policy Making:
- Agenda Setting: Identifying key issues requiring government intervention.
- Policy Formulation: Crafting proposed solutions for identified issues.
- Policy Adoption: Official enactment of policies through legislative or regulatory means.
- Policy Implementation: Enforcing adopted policies in practice.
- Policy Evaluation: Reviewing effectiveness and impacts of policies.
Key Concepts:
- Stakeholders: Identifies individuals or groups impacted by policy choices.
- Public Interest: Considers the welfare of the general public in policy decisions.

Definition: Analyzes relationships between countries and global challenges.
Theories:
- Realism: Prioritizes power dynamics and national interests.
- Liberalism: Advocates for cooperation and emphasizes international institutions.
- Constructivism: Focuses on the influence of social constructs and identities in global relations.
Key Topics:
- Globalization: Studies the economic, political, and cultural interconnectedness of nations.
- Conflict and Security: Examines causes of wars, peacekeeping efforts, and global security issues.
- International Organizations: Investigates the functions of entities like the UN and NATO.

Definition: Explores how individuals and groups participate in political processes.
Key Areas:
- Voting Behavior: Analyzes factors affecting electoral participation, such as demographics and socio-economic status.
- Political Participation: Encompasses various forms, including voting, activism, and civic involvement.
- Public Opinion: Studies the influence of societal beliefs and attitudes on politics and policies.
- Political Socialization: Describes how individuals develop political beliefs and values influenced by family, education, and media.