10 Questions
What is the aim of political science according to the text?
To understand the political functioning of societies on a scientific basis
What does the term 'axiological neutrality' in social sciences refer to?
Analysis without any value judgment
Which branch of political science focuses on power relations between states?
International relations
What has political science been resistant to, compared to other disciplines?
Gender studies
What does gender do to political science, as mentioned in the text?
Shifting the boundaries of politics
What are the three dimensions of the word 'political' as mentioned in the text?
Polity, Politics, Policy
According to the text, what is the essentialist understanding of the term 'political'?
It refers to specific things that form a compartment of society
What does the term 'politique' as mentioned in the text relate to?
Government of a society as a whole
How does the term 'political' change in time according to the text?
It becomes more sensitive to societal issues
What does the pragmatic understanding of the term 'political' rely on?
An extensive vision of the political as transversal to society
Study Notes
Understanding Political Science
- The aim of political science is to understand and explain the phenomena of power, authoritative allocation of values, and the exercise of power.
Axiological Neutrality
- Axiological neutrality in social sciences refers to the goal of separating facts from values, attempting to avoid influencing research outcomes with personal values and biases.
Branches of Political Science
- International Relations (IR) is a branch of political science that focuses on power relations between states, examining the interactions and relationships between nations.
Distinctiveness of Political Science
- Political science has been resistant to mathematization, compared to other disciplines, relying more on qualitative methods and case studies.
Gender and Political Science
- Gender has been instrumental in challenging traditional notions of power and politics within political science, leading to a more inclusive understanding of political phenomena.
Dimensions of the Term 'Political'
- The term 'political' has three dimensions: a narrow definition focusing on the state and its institutions, a broader definition encompassing power relations in all social contexts, and an even broader definition encompassing all aspects of human life.
Essentialist Understanding of 'Political'
- The essentialist understanding of the term 'political' views it as an inherent and fixed concept, tied to the state and its institutions.
Etymology of 'Politique'
- The term 'politique' originates from the Aristotelian understanding of politics as the art of governing the city-state.
Evolution of the Concept 'Political'
- The concept of 'political' changes over time, expanding to encompass wider aspects of human life, and shifting from a narrow focus on the state to a broader understanding of power relations.
Pragmatic Understanding of 'Political'
- The pragmatic understanding of the term 'political' relies on the notion that power and authority are not fixed or essential, but rather are shaped by historical and social contexts.
Explore the fundamental concepts of political science, including the multifaceted nature of politics, the evolving definition of the political, and the dynamics of power. This session delves into the essentialist understanding of politics and the relationship between governors and the governed.
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