What is Politics? - Fall 2024/AYBU - PDF

What is Politics? Fall 2024/ AYBU Politics Politics: activities, actions, and policies used to gain and exercise power and influence over a society or specific governance area. Levels of Politics: Governmental Politics: the operation of formal government institutions International Po...

What is Politics? Fall 2024/ AYBU Politics Politics: activities, actions, and policies used to gain and exercise power and influence over a society or specific governance area. Levels of Politics: Governmental Politics: the operation of formal government institutions International Politics: the relationships and interactions between different nations and states Local Politics: local communities, municipalities, and regions Interest Group Politics Political Ideologies: frameworks for understanding the role of government Political Participation: individuals engage with the political process Public Policy: politics is instrumental in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies Power Dynamics Useful concepts of Politics Power and Influence: Politics is centered on the distribution and exercise of power and influence. Conflict and Cooperation: Politics involves both conflict and cooperation. Competing interests, negotiation, consensus-building. Decision-Making: Politics drives decisions impacting individuals and society. Representation: Politics ensures representation of people's interests. Legitimacy: Political systems require legitimacy from the governed. Rightfulness. Authority: Form of government. Limit of the authority is determined by laws, rules and constitutions. Authority means the right to use power. Weber. Useful concepts of Politics Accountability: Politics enforces accountability of officials and institutions. Social Order: Politics creates rules and structures for societal behavior. Change and Adaptation: Politics responds to societal changes and challenges. Inclusivity: Effective politics strives for inclusivity. Ethics and Values: Politics involves ethical considerations and values. Importance of Studying Politics Understanding Society: Gain insights into societal organization and decision-making. Comprehend governance structures and mechanisms. Citizen Engagement: Informed citizens are essential for democracy. Equip individuals for civic participation and activism. Influence and Advocacy: Effectively advocate for interests and causes. Critical Thinking: Analyze complex issues and make informed judgments. Global Awareness: Politics extends beyond borders. Importance of Studying Politics Social Justice and Change: Politics as a tool for social justice and change. Conflict Resolution: Politics' role in resolving domestic and international conflicts. Accountability and Transparency: Informed populace holds institutions accountable. Promotes government transparency and prevents abuse of power. Civic Responsibility: Contribute to the health and functioning of democracy. Historical Context: Political history intertwined with human history. Understanding the past informs contemporary issues. Policy Analysis: Policies impact healthcare, education, the economy, and more. Heywood- Politics Politics is an exciting field marked by disagreements among people regarding how they should live, distribute resources, and make collective decisions. Aristotle: master science The Essence of Politics: Making, keeping, and changing fundamental societal rules. Involves conflict, cooperation, and collective action. Explaining the meaning of 'politics' faces two big challenges. First, it's a word that comes with many ideas in everyday language, so it's not neutral. The second problem is that even experts can't agree on what politics is. Two ways to think about politics Heywood/ Ways of thinking Politics: 1. Politics as the art of government Bismarck: Politics defined as the art of governing and making group decisions. Originates from Ancient Greece, where "polis" means city-state; politics meant the affairs of the city-state. Today, "in politics" or "entering politics" refers to public office. Politics traditionally focuses on "what concerns the state." David Easton's definition: "Authoritative allocation of values.": The Traditional and Narrow View of Politics. Politics linked to policy-making by the government. Often viewed narrowly as occurring within government institutions. This definition of politics can become even narrower. It's often seen as just party politics. Negative image of politics: due to association with power-seeking politicians. Lord Acton famously said, "power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Despite flaws, politics remains an integral part of society. Heywood/ Ways of thinking Politics: 2. Politics as public affairs Politics encompasses more than just government; it includes public life. Public- private dichotomy. Aristotle believed humans are inherently political beings and that the 'good life' can only be achieved within a political community. The distinction between "public" and "private" life is crucial. Different Perspectives on the Public-Private Divide: Public realm traditionally includes state institutions, funded through taxation. Civil society comprises private entities like families, businesses, and clubs. The "political" vs. "personal" distinction broadens the scope of politics. Feminist thinkers challenge traditional views, emphasizing the political nature of gender roles and inequality. Recognizing the political dimension in personal matters is essential for addressing gender disparities. Heywood/ Ways of thinking Politics: 3. Politics as compromise and consensus Politics is about how decisions are made, emphasizing compromise and negotiation. Often called "the art of the possible" in politics. Aristotle's influence: 'polity' combines aristocratic and democratic elements, promoting cooperation. Politics viewed as a means to reconcile conflicts rather than crushing opposing interests. Belief in the efficacy of debate, discussion, and the avoidance of intimidation or force. Critics argue this view aligns with Western democracies, neglecting one-party states or military regimes. it can also be frustrating: Growing disenchantment with democratic politics, leading to the rise of populism and more conflict-oriented politics. Heywood/ Ways of thinking Politics: 4. Politics as power Politics isn't confined to specific areas but exists in all human interactions. Politics is fundamentally about power, the means to achieve desired outcomes. A constant struggle over limited resources, where power is the primary tool. Advocates of this view include feminists and Marxists. Feminists emphasize the personal as political, highlighting power dynamics in daily life: the personal is political. Marxists connect politics deeply to the class system, driven by economic foundations. Civil society, marked by class struggle, is seen as the core of politics. Approaches to Study Politics The philosophical tradition: Ethical and Normative Focus: Concerned with what "should" or "must" be done. Key Figures: Plato and Aristotle, the founding fathers of this tradition. Influence: Their ideas shaped medieval thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas. Plato's Vision: Ideal society as a benevolent dictatorship led by philosopher kings. Analytical Approach: Focuses on major thinkers, their ideas, and intellectual context. Non-Objective Nature: Unlike scientific research, deals with values and beliefs. Key Questions: Includes inquiries like "Why obey the government?" and "Limits on personal freedom." Approaches to Study Politics The empirical tradition Empirical: Describes and explains political phenomena. Normative: Prescribes judgments and recommendations. Empiricism's Foundation: Values experience as the basis of knowledge. Observation and Testing: All hypotheses and theories subjected to observation. 19th Century Evolution: Shift to 'Positivism,' associated with Auguste Comte. Positivism's Tenet: Social sciences and philosophy should emulate natural sciences. Science of Politics: Emergence of the idea that politics should become a science. Science as Truth: Scientific methods seen as a reliable path to discovering truth. Approaches to Study Politics Behaviouralism Making Politics Scientific: Introduction of objective and measurable facts. David Easton's Influence: Advocated using methods from natural sciences in politics. Quantitative Research: Emergence of studies using numbers to analyze political behavior. Focus on Measurable Data: Theories built on observable and measurable phenomena. Dissatisfaction and Revival: Renewed interest in normative questions in the 1970s. Key Theorists: John Rawls and Robert Nozick played pivotal roles in reviving these questions. Approaches to Study Politics Rational Choice Theory Relies on the principles of economic theory to construct models based on procedural rules, typically centered around the rational self-interest of the individuals involved. Not universally accepted Doubts about its foundational assumptions; For instance, it might overemphasize human rationality by overlooking the reality that people often lack well-defined preferences and seldom make decisions armed with complete and accurate information. Approaches to Study Politics New institutionalism Traditional Institutionalism (Pre-1950s): Focus on government institutions. Methods akin to law and history. The Behavioral Revolution (1950s): Shift towards facts and descriptions. Concerns about politics reduced to rules and structures. Decline of Traditional Institutionalism (1960s-70s): Loss of popularity due to its descriptive nature. Resurgence with New Institutionalism (1980s): Renewed interest in institutionalism. Evolved perspective on institutions. New View of Institutions: Institutions as sets of rules guiding individual behavior. Includes both formal and informal rules. Embedded in Norms and History: Institutions linked to specific norms and historical context. Institutions operate within a broader belief system. Challenges for Change: Difficulty in reforming or replacing institutions due to their embedded nature. Approaches to Study Politics Critical approaches Support marginalized or oppressed groups. Uncover inequalities overlooked by mainstream methods. Examples include feminism, critical theory, green ideology, and postcolonialism. Last word 1. Politics focuses on the goal of the activity.- if produces social and political outcomes 2. Politics focuses on the means and the actors of this activity. - narrows politics as the activities of professionals only Politics is everywhere. It is the way through which we understand and order our social affairs. Politics is not external our life. Political Theory Political Theory Political theory is a specialized field within political science and philosophy that deals with the core principles, concepts, and ideologies underlying political systems, institutions, behaviors, and values. It involves a thorough exploration of diverse political ideologies. It serves as a framework for comprehending and critiquing political phenomena. It addresses profound questions about governance, power dynamics, justice, authority, freedom, equality, and the very nature of the state itself. Scope of Political Theory Political theorists deal with historical texts, the writings of influential political thinkers, and conduct critical analyses to develop and refine their ideas. Political theory plays a crucial role in shaping political discourse, policy formulation, and our broader understanding of politics in society. Key Themes of Political Theory 1.Governance: Political theorists seek to understand and evaluate various systems of governance, from democracies to authoritarian regimes. 2.Power and Authority: The study of power dynamics is fundamental to political theory. Deal with sources of power, its distribution, and the legitimacy of authority figures. 3.Justice and Ethics: Ethical considerations play a significant role in assessing political ideologies and policies. Key Themes of Political Theory 4.Freedom and Rights: This theme involves discussions on civil liberties, human rights, and the limitations of state authority. 5.Ideologies: Political theory investigates various political ideologies, their historical development, and their impact on societies. 6.The Nature of the State: Political theorists deals with the very essence of the state. Significance of Political Theory 1.Influencing Policy Debates: By providing a theoretical framework, it helps policymakers understand the ethical, moral, and philosophical implications of their decisions. 2.Shaping Political Discourse: Political theorists offer insights, challenge prevailing norms, and provoke thought on pressing political questions. 3. Comprehending Political Systems 4.Analyzing Political Conduct: Political theory deals with the motivations and behaviors of both individuals and groups within the political arena. Significance of Political Theory 5.Exploring Ideologies: Proficiency in the ideologies equips us to assess political debates and policy choices from diverse points of views. 6.Enhancing Critical Thinking 7.Contemplating Ethical and Moral Dilemmas 8.Empowering Citizenship and Civic Engagement 9.Influencing Policy and Governance 10.Gaining a Historical Perspective 11.Contributing to Social Progress Heywood/ Political Theory Political theory is about studying ideas and concepts that have been really important in politics. It's kind of like looking at the history of political ideas. -"Why should I follow the rules of the government?" or "How should we share rewards?" or "What are the limits to our personal freedom?" They look at what these famous thinkers said, how they came up with their ideas, and what was happening in their time that influenced them. Changes in Political Theory Firstly, modern political theory places more importance on history and culture in shaping our understanding of politics. Secondly, political theory has become more diverse. In the past, it was closely tied to liberalism, but now there are many different political traditions. Thirdly, there's a challenge to the idea that political theory is based on rationalism.They see theory as a way to expand our understanding rather than as a tool for explaining events or setting ethical boundaries. Lastly, political theory is trying to cope with the increased interdependence brought by globalization. The Importance of Concepts Concepts: part of realm of knowledge about objects. Just objects and events do not mean anything, we have to give them meaning, we have to interpret them by using concepts. Concepts include ideas. Concepts are the ideas defined in the mind to understand. They are defined differently, because they are interpreted differently. 1. Descriptive Concept: explains the facts as they are- what is? 2. Normative Concept: value-loaded explanation- what should be? 3. Contested Concepts: This means concepts have different meanings that can all be valid. So, there's no single right way to understand them. Human Nature- how Political Theory explains it What makes humans who they are. Human nature refers to the core and unchanging characteristics that all humans have from birth, things that are innate and natural, rather than learned from education or society. However, a few thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre have completely rejected the idea of a fixed human nature, arguing that people define themselves through their actions and choices. Debates around human nature involve questions like whether people are shaped by biology or education, whether they are rational or driven by emotions, and whether they are naturally selfish or cooperative. Human nature: Nature vs Nurture Nature: "Nature" refers to things like biology and genetics that make up who we are from the start. Society should be based on a pre- established idea of human nature, and it connects political theories to biology, giving them a "scientific" touch. Spencer used this idea to propose "survival of the fittest" in human society, which influenced classical liberalism and even fascist beliefs. Nurture: Some theories focus on "nurture," emphasizing the impact of the social environment on human character. Human nature is shaped by external forces, and by changing the social environment, like poverty, social conflict, and gender inequality. Human nature/ Hobbes Leviathan In the absence of government, humans exist in a state of nature marked by self-interest, competition, and conflict. There is no objective morality, and right and wrong are determined by self-interest. To escape the chaos of the state of nature, Hobbes proposed the need for strong, centralized government with absolute authority. Human nature/ Locke A more optimistic and liberal view of human nature compared to Thomas Hobbes Locke did not believe that the state of nature was a condition of constant conflict. Instead, he saw it as a state of freedom, equality, and reason. All individuals have certain inherent natural rights, which he famously described as "life, liberty, and property." Locke's political philosophy advocated for limited government and the protection of individual rights. Human nature/ Rousseau Had a unique view of human nature In contrast to Hobbes, he did not see humans as inherently driven by self- interest or a constant state of conflict. Instead, he saw their natural state as one of simplicity and moral purity. It is society and civilization that corrupts individuals. Identified private property as a major source of social inequality and conflict. Rousseau introduced the concept of the "general will". He believed that a just and legitimate government should be based on the general will, reflecting the common interests and desires of the people.- advocated for a form of direct democracy