What is Political Science?
An introduction to the study
of politics
What is Political Science?
• Aristotle called Poli.Sci. 'the
most authoritative art' and
'most truly the master art‘
Why?
• Politics envelopes everything…
• The reason is that 'the
happiness of the individual is
the same as that of the state'
(Politics VII.2), 'the end of
individuals and of states is the
same' (Politics VII.15).
Plato and Aristotle
What is Political Science?
• What is political science?
The scientific study of politics
and government
• What political science is not?
A perfect science that has all
the answers
• Is political science a
science? If so, how is
politics scientific?
Branches of Political Science
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Political Theory
International Politics
Domestic Politics
Comparative Politics
Political Statistics
Public Administration
Provincial/Local
Politics
Defining Politics and Political
Science:
Some definitions of politics:
• At its most basic level, politics is
the struggle of "who gets what,
when, how.”
• The study of human interaction
and organization with a view of
maximizing happiness and human
potential for both men and women
• Groucho Marx - "politics is the art
of finding trouble everywhere,
diagnosing it incorrectly, and
applying the wrong remedy."
Groucho Marx
Additional Definitions of Politics
"politics is a means
through which individual
and group interests
compete to shape
government's impact on
society's problems and
goals"
"the process by which
rulers are selected and
empowered to make
decisions, take action to
attain common goals,
and reconcile conflicts
within a political
community"
What is Politics?
• Are we always going to
be happy with the
decisions that are
made? If not, how will
we react? The way we
react is called politics.
• In essence, politics is an
activity whereby an
individual or group
seeks power by
mobilizing support for
their particular point of
view. Politics is the
ability to get what you
want by obtaining power.
What is Power?
The Essence of Politics?
What is Power?
• Power is the
ability of a person,
group, or nation to
get what it wants.
• As an equation,
power is: The
ability of A to get B
to do X (or not do
X)
• In the case of
governments, they
can use soft
power (e.g.
persuasion), or
hard power (e.g.
military force)
U.S. Aircraft Carrier.
Other Definitions of Power
– The ability of one person to get
another to do his or her bidding
– The ability of governments, and
of governmental leaders, to
make and enforce rules and to
influence the behavior of
individuals or groups by
rewarding or punishing certain
behaviors
Robert Dahl: “ A has power over B
to the extent that A can get B to
do something that B would
otherwise not do”
Steven Lukes: “A exercises power
over B when A affects B in a
manner contrary to B’s
interests”
What do Political Scientists do?
Political scientists
study conflicts,
both small and
large, in an effort
to develop
general principles
or theories about
the way the world
of politics works.
Basic Concepts in Political Science
• Legitimacy:
People's attitude
that the
government's
rule is rightful
Gained through:
• Existing for a
long time
• Governing well
• Structure of
government
• National symbols
North Korean Leader Kim Jong il
Concepts in Poli Sci
Sovereignty: National control over the
country's territory
Authority: Psychological ability of
leaders to get others to obey them
– Most people obey what they
consider to be legitimate authority
most of the time
Order: The structures rules and
practices enforced by a group of
people
Community: An association of
individuals who share a common
identity
Government: Those persons and
institutions that make and enforce
rules or laws for the larger
community
Canada’s claim of sovereignty
Over Canada’s North
Concepts in Political Science
Nation-State: Geographically
defined community
administered by a
government
• Nation: Made up of a
distinct group of people
who share a common
background, including
any or all of the following:
geographic location,
history, racial or ethnic
characteristics, religion,
language, culture, and
belief in common political
ideas
• State: A viable, sovereign
government exercising
authority and power in the
name of society
Serbian Nationalism
Additional terms that a political
scientist needs to know
•
Citizenship: Membership in a political community,
such as a country, including rights, duties and
responsibilities.
•
Government: A system by which a group of people
makes laws that are enforced to guide the affairs of
the community, such as a country, province or
municipality.
•
Society: A group of interacting people who share a
community
•
Authoritarian: A form of decision making or a
government system in which one person, or a
small group holds all power (e.g. a dictatorship).
•
Democratic: A form of decision making in which all
group members have a vote.
•
Consensus: A group decision reached through
discussion to which all group members agree.
Consensus: Not easy!
Here’s some more!
•
Politics: A human activity in which opposing individuals or groups mobilize support to
obtain power to govern.
•
Power: The ability of an individual or group to get what it wants. (The ability of A to
get B to do C)
•
Common Good: That which benefits all (or most) people in a community or society.
•
Rule of Law: The fundamental constitutional principle that no government or person is
above the law and that society is governed by laws that apply fairly to all; sometimes
referred to as “law and order”
•
Direct Democracy: A government in which all citizens directly participate in decision
making without representatives (Ancient Greece)
•
Representative Democracy: A democracy in which citizens periodically elect others to
represent them in government.
The Beginnings of Democracy
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The origin of democracy goes
back to the 5th Century BC (495429 BC).
The “polis” (city) of Athens was
the most famous of the city
states. It was here that the idea
of democracy first took shape;
that is, that citizens of the city
could have a direct say in the
affairs of the state. This
democracy was direct
democracy since people could
make political decisions
themselves without
representation.
However, only free born males
over a certain age could vote.
Women and slaves were
excluded from political
participation (politics).
Plato: Greek Philosopher
The Beginnings of Democracy
• However, as Athens grew in size,
the idea of Direct Democracy
became impossible to maintain (too
many decision makers).
• As a result, their system was
eventually changed to a
Representative Democracy whereby
citizens would elect other citizens to
represent them. The role of these
representatives (politicians) was to
give a voice to the concerns of their
communities.
• Plato, Socrates and others were
deeply critical of representative
democracy. Socrates was later put
to death for his views. Why?
The Trial of Socrates
Representative Democracy
• In our current democratic
system, we use political
leaders to represent our
concerns within Canada’s
Political institutions.
• However, if we cannot
exercise direct
democracy except at the
ballot box, is it still
democracy? What if they
make decisions without
our consent? What if
they satisfy the majority
of Canadians (to win
elections), but ignore
minority voices?
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Hurricane Katrina
During the flooding of New Orleans, the U.S. Army was
sent in to restore order. However, in many areas there
was an absence of authority. Government simply did not
exist. What happened?
Hurricane Katrina
Looting in downtown New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina
The response to Looting. Is this necessary?
Jean Jacques Rousseau
• French Philosopher Jean-Jacques
Rousseau (1712-1778) disagreed
with Hobbes and thought that
societies were free and friendly
before governments were formed.
In his famous political work The
Social Contract he states that “Man
is born free, but everywhere he is in
chains”.
• He believed that humans have a
general idea of what is the
“Common good”. That is, they know
what is morally right and wrong. All
we need is a “Social Contract” which
represents the general will of the
people. Our common sense will
save us from ourselves; not an all
powerful government. Do you agree
with Rousseau?
Why do these students Obey?
Why do People Obey?
Why are they waiting in line? Did someone teach them?
The Magna Carta
• The Magna Carta
was signed in 1215
by King John.
• With the Magna
Carta, governments
and people must
follow the law; even
the King!
The French Revolution
• King Louis was an
Absolute Monarch. He
was referred to as the
“Sun King” and above
the rule of law.
• He was later replaced by
Louis 16th. The French
people eventually
revolted against his
absolute power. The
result? The French
Revolution
Louis the 14th
The French Revolution (1789)
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
The Execution of King Louis the16th
Questions for Discussion
• How do Hobbes and
Rousseau’s views on
human nature differ?
• Do you agree with
Hobbes or Rousseau?
Explain your answer in
a short paragraph (150
words)