Concepts, theories, hypothesis

What is an arena based understanding of politics?

Politics refers to “public politics” which concerns everybody & takes place in formal political arenas (state, government, parliament, UN).

It is state centred & occurs in highly structured environments with defined rules & processes

What is a limitation of arena based understanding of politics?

This view can be too narrow

Politics isn’t only “public” or “state-centred” but also happens outside formal arenas, in informal networks, communities, & civil society organisations that also contribute to shaping public life

What is a process based understanding of politics?

Politics refers to decision-making characterised by power-relations & cna be found in all societal spheres (family, company, trade union, university).

Considers power structures of society

What is a limitation of process based understanding of politics

Risk of conceptual stretching making politics too elusive to study

Define political science

The political process is about collective choice. It is about what shapes & constrains those choices, the of power and its consequences

How do we define a concept in political science?

Abstract ideas that help us study & understand the aspects of the real world

e.g. Democracy, freedom, populism, power

What are the 4 defining features of a good concept?

Concepts:

1. Clear

2. Coherent

3. Consistent

4. Useful

Define democratisation

Democratisation is the process by which civil liberties and political rights are extended to all adult citizens in a nation

Define energy democracy

Occurs when at least half of all energy production facilities are directly owned & operated by citizens

Define conceptualisation

Specifying the definition of the concept

Define operationalisation

Making the concept measurable

What does normative theory do?

Evaluate & prescribe

What does empirical theory do?

Understand & explain

Define hypothesis

Proposed answer to our research question

• not all theories aim at hypothesis testic

What is Luke's 1 dimensional view on power?

When A makes B do something that B would otherwise not do

• Lukes’ one-dimensional view of power defines power as observable-decision making within settings of direct conflict, focusing on who prevails when choices are made among competing interests (subjectivity of interests)

• This approach (also called “pluralist”) sees power as behaviour: whoever wins in open, public decision-making exercises power over others

What is Luke's 2 dimensional view on power?

When A confines the scope of decision making to issues preferred by A

• Lukes’ two-dimensional view of power builds on the one-dimensional view by adding the idea that power is not only exercised through observable decision-making but also through controlling the agenda & suppressing conflict before it arises

• It shows that power can be exercised quietly and indirectly through controlling which issues are allowed to be addresses.

• It can be exercised consciously or unconsciously

What is Luke's 3 dimensional view on power?

When A influences, shapes or determines the wants of B

• This third dimension considers how power should not be reduced to individually chosen acts, but should be seen as a function of collective forces & social arrangements.

• Shaping what people think & want in non-observable conflicts, often leading them to accept the status quo even if it is against their own objective or real interests (manipulation, authority)

• The absence of grievances does not imply that certain interests are not violated (latent conflicts)

What some other concepts of power

Power:

• Over

• For

• With

• Within

What are Macro-level factors?

Broad, overarching forces that impact an entire society or large populations

What are Meso-level factors?

Factors at the intermediate level, focusing on the interactions within & between groups, organisations, & institutions