Introduction to Political science

BBA

Definition of Political Science

Political Science is an academic and research discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics, and the description and analysis of political systems and behavior. The questions then are: what is politics? Why do human societies need politics? How does politics affect our lives? Who should care about politics?

Definitions.
It is the systematic study of political institutions, the state and government

What is politics? Conflict in human societies

Human beings do not live in isolation; rather, human beings live in communities, small and large communities. Human behavior in group context is generally characterized by conflict. People have different ideas, values, hopes, fears, needs, and demands; yet people need to live together in communities. Therefore, conflict results. Politics concerns the behavior of human beings within group contexts.

Definitions.
It is a systemic study of of political institutions, the state or govt Dr Leacock Political science begins and ends with stateProf Garner The science which is concerned with the state and endavours to understand and comprehend the state in its fundamental condition, in its essential nature, its various forms of manifestations, its developmentBluntchli

Defi.
It is the science of organized power in all communication- GEG Catalin The study of those actions more or less directly related to the making of authoritative allocations of resources and values- David Easten It is a systemic study of state or government, which is power structure making authoritative decisions and allocating resources and values for internal security and development and external defence.

Nature of Pol Science

It is the study of Choices made by people and nations and states. The Social Choices which sets the course of history while learning from History, Culture and Civilization- Pol science study this phenomenon of making Choices It is the study of the process , or choices and their consequences, whether they lead to Golden Ages or Holoucasts. The source material of pol science is a Politics Macro and Micro level politics.

Pol science and Pol Philosohpy

Pol Science is an offshoot of Political Philosophy. In pol Philosophy we deal with history of Political Ideas which tends to be more philosophical than scientific- from Plato to Iqbal. The strife is to achieve an idea of a Perfect State for a perfect society in perfect circumstances While political science follows the tools and techniques of science to do quantitative analyses arriving at a qualitative generalization..11

Basic Concepts in Politics

State: people around the world live in states, either as citizens, expatriates, or visitors. People always find themselves in a state at any point of time. Peoples lives are greatly influenced by state types, laws, and policies. State consists of three tangible components: territory, people, and government. The state includes permanent official institutions, such as the bureaucracy, police, courts, military, parliamentetc. State is the only human community which has sovereignty. There are more than two hundred states in the world. Can you think of possible dimensions of comparison among states of the world?

Basic Concepts in Politics

Government: refers to the institutions concerned with making, implementing, and enforcing laws. Branches of government: Legislative (making laws); Executive (implementing laws); Judicial (enforcing laws). Government decisions taken in the name of the state are binding on all members of the society. Government enforces laws and decisions by the legitimate use of Power to prevent, restrain, or punish breaches of the law. Different states have different types of government. Try to mention differences between governments. Governments play crucial roles in affecting lives of the people.

Power in Politics
Power consists of a relationship between two parties (sides), in which one side has the ability to compel the other to undertake a course of action which would not have been voluntarily carried out. Power is a fundamental issue in the practice and analysis of politics. Why do people obey their rulers (governments)? Power entails the ability to compel obedience. Is power important for relations between states? Can you give examples?

Current Fields of Study in Political Science

Comparative Politics: involves the comparison of various forms of governments, as well as governmental policies. (Comparison: analysis of similarities and differences, and making conclusions). Political Thought/Theory: the normative questions of government, ideology, regimes, and the history of political philosophy. Give examples of political philosophers, and normative questions in politics.

Current Fields of Study in Political Science

International Relations: focuses on the study of the dynamics of relations between states of the world, as well as the activities of international organizations, and multinational corporations. In addition, this field studies transnational issues, such as the environment, terrorism, international trade, transfer of technologyetc. Public Administration: studies the determination, implementation, and outputs of public policies.