Political Science through Its Forms and Theories

Flashcards covering the branches of political science, definitions of politics and economics, and the four major political ideologies: conservatism, liberalism, libertarianism, and anarchism.

Political Science

A social science discipline that has its branches concentrated on a particular field of study in Political Science.

Political Theory (Branch)

The branch of political science that deals with the observations, analysis and study of the political relationships among men, organization and the techniques to interpret these relationships.

Comparative Politics

The branch of political science that deals with the study of different political organizations, structures, processes and systems and studying the similarities, differences and benefits of these political organizations.

Public Administration

A branch of political science that concerns itself with the management of government affairs to ensure that basic services are given to the citizens.

Political Economy

The branch of political science that deals with the study of the connection of politics to that of another social science which is economics.

Politics

The art and science of governance.

Economics

The allocation and distribution of resources to meet human needs and wants.

Political Theory (Social Thought)

The categorization of social thought by a group of believers where it is founded by synthesizing thoughts of great influencers during those times.

Political ideology

The convictions, ideas and principles a person or group of person believe to be the way to effectively govern the state in order that political, social and economic development be achieved.

Conservatism

The strict adherence and safeguarding of traditional institutions and principles in politics, emphasizing established, existing social institutions like the government and traditions.

Liberalism

A political idea or ideology that gives importance and priority to the freedom or liberty of an individual and looks into government to secure and promote this freedom in a state.

Libertarianism

Considered a son of liberalism, it focuses on the argument that government is a creation only of the people and therefore should be given powers as determined by the people.

Nonaggression Axiom

The principle that libertarians call stating all acts of aggression against the rights of others—whether committed by individuals or by governments—are unjust.

Anarchism

The political idea that does not believe in the establishment of an authority or government, arguing that because man is by nature rational or thinking beings, a central authority is not needed and order is to be done naturally.

Gerard Wistanley

Person who laid down basic anarchist principles, including that power corrupts, property is incompatible with freedom, and authority and property are begetters of crime.