Lecture 1: Basic Concepts PDF

Lecture 1: Basic Concepts Concepts of Politics 1. Art of Government not science — > art Political Science (e.g. proving that political actions are non-efficient) can’t exist when there’s no democracy measur...

Lecture 1: Basic Concepts Concepts of Politics 1. Art of Government not science — > art Political Science (e.g. proving that political actions are non-efficient) can’t exist when there’s no democracy measurable in some aspect “scientifically proven or falsified” statement referring to the present not a hypothesis/assumptions sufficient information for the research appreciating the process - no morality study the government something that concerns the state restrictive view: most institutions and activities are seen as non-political 2. Public Affairs non-private life anything public = political division between state and civil society strangers = political sphere art, culture, etc. politics does not and should not infringe on personal affairs (e.g family) 3. Compromise and Consensus politics is a way to achieve goals resolving conflict by compromise and negotiation (rather than force) war is the worst-case faith in the efficacy of debate and discussion nowadays rise of populism that favors conflict over compromise/consensus 4. Distribution of power and Resources definition of power: the ability to influence the actions of others Lecture 1: Basic Concepts 1  the sovereign (legitimacy; charisma, tradition, rationality) rational - elections nomination/candidacy based on certain criteria (ex. nationality) constituency (districts) equality - equal votes proportionality traditional - inherited by blood monarchs in democracy — > no power charisma (cult of personality) power to/power over politics at work in all social activities and in every corner of human existence advocates of this view include feminists and Marxists Different approaches The philosophical tradition (in the head) Plato and Aristotle traditional approach ethical, prescriptive or normatvie questions makes judgement and offers recommendations The empirical tradition Aristotle → description of constitutions Monetsque → based on experience attempt to offer a dispassionate and impartial account of political reality Behaviorism voting behaviour, behavior of legislators, reseach methods objective, quantoified results Rational-choice theory based on procedural rules, usually about the rationally self-interested behaviour of the individuals involved New constitutionalism everything specified by law is an institution Lecture 1: Basic Concepts 2  informal institutions are very important (states can be democratic on paper but there can be many informal institutions that have more power, e.g. Hungary) Critical approaches (e.g. feminism) Tools for political analysis Observation Concepts: classify objects by recognizing they have similar forms / similar properties Models: network of relationships highlighting the meaning and significance of relevant empirical data Theories: a systematic explanation of a body of empirical data Political demand Polity, Politics, Policy Polity: a set of political institutions (legislation, government, head of state, etc.) Politics: political actors and their actions/conflicts/agreements (ideology-driven; often hate/debate) Policy: education/health (when politicians care about their reputation) Seminar 1: What is politics? Lecture 1: Basic Concepts 3  Lecture 1: Basic Concepts Politics is… 1. Art of Government not science — > art Political Science (e.g. proving that political actions are non-efficient) can’t exist when there’s no democracy measurable in some aspect “scientifically proven or falsified” statement referring to the present not a hypothesis/assumptions sufficient information for the research appreciating the process - no morality study the government something that concerns the state restrictive view: most institutions and activities are seen as non-political 2. Public Affairs non-private life anything public = political division between state and civil society strangers = political sphere art, culture, etc. politics does not and should not infringe on personal affairs (e.g family) 3. Compromise and Consensus politics is a way to achieve goals resolving conflict by compromise and negotiation (rather than force) war is the worst-case faith in the efficacy of debate and discussion nowadays rise of populism that favors conflict over compromise/consensus 4. Distribution of power and Resources definition of power: the ability to influence the actions of others Lecture 1: Basic Concepts 1  the sovereign (legitimacy; charisma, tradition, rationality) rational - elections nomination/candidacy based on certain criteria (ex. nationality) constituency (districts) equality - equal votes proportionality traditional - inherited by blood monarchs in democracy — > no power charisma (cult of personality) power to/power over politics at work in all social activities and in every corner of human existence advocates of this view include feminists and Marxists Different approaches The philosophical tradition (in the head) The empirical tradition Behaviorism Rational-choice theory New constitutionalism everything specified by law is an institution informal institutions are very important (states can be democratic on paper but there can be many informal institutions that have more power, e.g. Hungary) Critical approaches (e.g. feminism) Tools for political analysis Concepts: classify objects by recognizing they have similar forms / similar properties Models: network of relationships highlighting the meaning and significance of relevant empirical data Theories: a systematic explanation of a body of empirical data Polity, Politics, Policy Lecture 1: Basic Concepts 2  Polity: a set of political institutions (legislation, government, head of state, etc.) Politics: political actors and their actions/conflicts/agreements (ideology-driven; often hate/debate) Policy: education/health (when politicians care about their reputation) Lecture 1: Basic Concepts 3  Lecture 2: Nation and State Building Defining the state legitimate use of violence (power) right fro torture dedined territory exceptions: Cyprus → Turks creting Northern Cyprus sovreignity population (citizenship, nationhood) rule of law: are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced centralized organization except Bosnia Herzegovina differentiation of public and private life religion was once a public matter, not anymore sexual orientation once private, now potentially used for public scandal) religion separted or not? e.g. in UK and Denmark not separated in Poland church is very influencing but on paper separated from the state Foundation for State building Lecture 2: Nation and State Building 1  Creation of a state (Daalder) Absolutist rule builds independent power with army and bureaucracy (FR) french revolutions → changing to democracy judges and institutions are strong enough to build power against the monarch(England) Cromwell establishing federation or confederation (Switzerland) Conquest or unification (GER, IT) brith of nation states achieving independence (NOR, Rep. of Ireland) Evolution of the State consolidation of the rule (matter of legitimacy) rationalization of the rule centralization, hierarchy, functions → institutions institutions are a new function (