1.3 Political Science: The Systematic Study of Politics
3 min read•june 18, 2024
is the study of governments, public policies, and political behavior. It examines how is distributed and used in societies, from local to global levels. The field employs scientific methods to analyze political phenomena and understand how political systems function.
Key concepts in include power, , and . The discipline uses both normative approaches, focusing on ideals and values, and empirical approaches, which rely on observable data. These methods help explain political behavior and institutions.
The Fundamentals of Political Science
Definition and scope of political science
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Chapter 6: Political Theory – Politics, Power, and Purpose: An Orientation to Political Science View original
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Systematic study of politics, government, and public policies at local, state, national, and international levels
Examines structures, processes, and outcomes of governmental decision-making
Studies institutions involved in decision-making (legislatures, executives, judiciaries)
Analyzes processes of agenda-setting, policy formulation, and implementation
Evaluates impacts of governmental decisions on society
Encompasses subfields of , , , and
Aims to understand and explain political phenomena (elections, social movements, political behavior)
Provides insights into how governments operate and political actors interact within the political system
Scientific method in political analysis
Political scientists employ for systematic and objective research
Formulates , collects and analyzes data, draws evidence-based conclusions
Steps in applying to political science:
Identify research question or problem related to political phenomena
Develop hypotheses or tentative explanations for observed political behavior or outcomes
Collect relevant data through surveys, experiments, or case studies
Analyze collected data using statistical techniques or qualitative methods
Interpret results and draw conclusions based on evidence
Share findings with academic community and subject them to peer review
Uses empirical evidence to test theories and hypotheses about political behavior and institutions
Empirical evidence includes observable and measurable data (election results, public opinion polls, legislative voting records)
Helps minimize bias, ensure reproducibility, and build cumulative body of knowledge
Normative vs empirical approaches
focuses on values, ideals, and principles shaping political systems and behavior
Addresses what ought to be (just society, legitimate government)
Involves study of political philosophy, ethics, and moral reasoning
Examples: theories of justice, human rights, democratic ideals
focuses on observable and measurable aspects of political phenomena
Addresses what is (how institutions function, how voters behave)
Involves systematic collection and analysis of data to test hypotheses and theories
Examples: studies of voting behavior, legislative decision-making, impact of public policies
Differences between approaches:
Normative makes prescriptive statements and value judgments, empirical makes descriptive statements and factual claims
Normative relies on philosophical reasoning and logical argumentation, empirical relies on evidence and scientific methods
Political scientists often combine approaches for comprehensive understanding
Normative theories guide research questions and interpretation of empirical findings
Empirical research informs and refines normative theories by providing evidence about real-world consequences of political ideas and practices
Key concepts in political science
Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of others or the course of events
Governance: The process of decision-making and the implementation of policies within a political system
Democracy: A system of government where power is vested in the people, typically through elected representatives
: A set of beliefs and values that shape political thought and action
: The supreme authority within a territory, often associated with the state
: The acceptance of political authority as rightful by the governed
: The study of how economic and political systems interact and influence each other
Key Terms to Review (29)
Altruistic democracy: Altruistic democracy is a political system where decision-making prioritizes the welfare and interests of the entire community over individual gains, ensuring policies and actions are designed for the common good. In this model, the media plays a crucial role in informing citizens about issues that affect society as a whole, encouraging public participation and accountability.
Comparative Politics: Comparative politics is the systematic study of the world's diverse political systems, institutions, behaviors, and outcomes. It examines how and why political systems differ across countries and regions, analyzing the underlying factors that shape a country's political landscape.
Democracy: Democracy is a political system in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives. It is a form of government where the people have the authority to choose their own political leaders and make decisions that affect their lives.
Deterministic: In the context of political science, deterministic refers to an approach or theory that suggests political behaviors and outcomes are shaped by specific factors or conditions in a predictable way. This implies that given certain inputs or historical conditions, the political events or decisions can be anticipated.
Empirical Approach: The empirical approach is a method of study that relies on empirical evidence, or data gathered through observation and experimentation, to understand and draw conclusions about the world. It emphasizes the importance of using systematic, objective, and verifiable evidence to support claims and theories.
Empirical political science: Empirical political science is a branch of political science that focuses on gathering and analyzing data to understand political phenomena. It relies on observable evidence rather than theories or beliefs to make conclusions about politics and governance.
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG): Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are standards for a company's operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. ESG factors include how a corporation responds to climate change, how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates, and the leadership standards it upholds.
Governance: Governance refers to the processes, structures, and traditions through which authority is exercised and decisions are made within a political, economic, or social system. It encompasses the mechanisms and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations, and mediate their differences.
Hypotheses: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon or observation, which can be tested through further investigation and research. It serves as a starting point for scientific inquiry, guiding the design of studies and experiments to either support or refute the proposed idea.
Hypothesis: A hypothesis in the context of political science is an educated guess or proposition that attempts to explain a phenomenon or answer a question related to politics. It is formulated based on observations and preliminary data, and it can be tested through further empirical research.
Ideology: Ideology is a comprehensive set of beliefs, values, and ideas that shape an individual's or group's political, social, and economic views. It serves as a framework for understanding and interpreting the world, and it guides the choices and actions of those who hold it.
International Relations: International relations is the study of the interactions and relationships between countries, governments, and other entities that operate globally. It examines how these entities engage with one another politically, economically, socially, and culturally in the international system.
Judgments about legitimacy: Judgments about legitimacy involve assessments of the rightfulness or acceptability of a governing regime's authority by its populace or the international community. These judgments are crucial for the stability and effectiveness of governance, as they reflect the perceived justification of political power and authority.
Legislative sovereignty system: A legislative sovereignty system is a political structure where the legislature holds supreme power over the creation, amendment, and repeal of laws, often with limited checks from other branches of government. In this context, it contrasts with systems where courts (judicial review) or executives have comparable or superior influence over legal matters.
Legitimacy: Legitimacy refers to the justification and acceptance of political authority and power. It is the foundation upon which a government or political system derives its right to govern and the willingness of the people to accept and comply with its decisions and actions.
Newton: In the context of an introduction to Political Science, "Newton" does not refer directly to a concept within the field but could metaphorically represent the impact of foundational principles or laws in shaping political theories and systems. Just as Sir Isaac Newton's laws of motion provide a framework for understanding physical phenomena, core principles such as democracy, liberty, and justice serve as foundational elements for analyzing political systems.
Normative Approach: The normative approach in political science involves the examination of political phenomena through the lens of values, principles, and ideals. This approach focuses on what ought to be, rather than solely on what is, in the realm of politics and government.
Normative political science: Normative political science focuses on examining how political systems ought to be structured and evaluates the ethical foundations of political institutions and practices. It contrasts with empirical political science by prioritizing the study of values, principles, and normative theories that guide political actions.
Political Economy: Political economy is the study of the relationship between the political and economic systems within a society. It examines how political forces, such as government policies and institutions, shape economic outcomes, and conversely, how economic factors influence political decision-making and the distribution of power.
Political science: Political science is the systematic study of government, political processes, and political behavior. It examines how societies make collective decisions through institutions, laws, and policies.
Political Science: Political science is the systematic study of politics, government, public policy, and the political behavior of individuals and groups. It examines the acquisition and application of power, the formation and execution of public policy, and the interaction between citizens and their government.
Political Theory: Political theory is the study of the fundamental principles and concepts that underlie political systems, institutions, and practices. It examines the philosophical foundations of government, power, and the role of the individual in society. Political theory provides a framework for understanding and analyzing the complex relationships between citizens, the state, and the broader social and economic structures that shape the political landscape.
Power: Power refers to the ability to influence or control the behavior of others, the course of events, or the allocation of resources. It is a central concept in the study of politics, as it underpins the dynamics of who gets what, when, and how in society.
Probabilistic: In the context of political science, probabilistic refers to an approach or method that acknowledges and incorporates the likelihood of various political outcomes based on certain factors or inputs. It contrasts with deterministic approaches, recognizing the inherent uncertainty in political phenomena.
Public policy: Public policy encompasses all the actions and decisions made by governmental bodies and officials to address public issues. It involves creating laws, regulations, and practices aimed at promoting the public interest and welfare.
Public Policy: Public policy refers to the set of actions, goals, and decisions that governments pursue to address societal issues and promote the public good. It encompasses the policies, laws, and regulations that governments implement to shape the lives of citizens and the functioning of society as a whole.
Scientific method: The scientific method is a systematic process for collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and validating or refuting the initial assumption. In empirical political science, it's used to conduct research and generate verifiable knowledge about political phenomena.
Scientific Method: The scientific method is a systematic process of investigation and experimentation used to acquire new knowledge or validate existing knowledge about the natural world. It involves a series of steps to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions.
Sovereignty: Sovereignty refers to the supreme and independent authority of a state or political entity to govern itself and its territory without external interference or control. It is a fundamental concept in political science that underpins the power and legitimacy of governments and their ability to make decisions and enforce laws within their borders.