Political Science

Political Science

The systematic study of politics, government systems, and political behavior.

Comparative Politics

Examines different political systems and governments, analyzing institutions, processes, and policies across countries.

International Relations

Focuses on relationships between countries, studying issues like war, diplomacy, trade, and international organizations.

Political Theory

Explores ideas and philosophies behind political systems, including key thinkers like Plato and Marx.

Public Administration

Examines the implementation of government policy and the management of public sector organizations.

Public Policy

Analyzes the creation and effects of policies, involving formulation, implementation, and evaluation.

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people and institutions.

Authority

The recognized right to make decisions and enforce rules.

Legitimacy

The acceptance of an authority, often a governing law or regime.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Political Ideologies

Sets of beliefs about politics and society, such as liberalism and socialism.

Democracy

Government by the people, typically through elected representatives.

Authoritarianism

Concentration of power in a leader or elite not accountable to the public.

Totalitarianism

An extreme form of authoritarianism where the state seeks to control all aspects of life.

Qualitative Methods

Research methods including interviews, case studies, and content analysis.

Quantitative Methods

Research methods including surveys, statistical analysis, and experiments.

Realism

A theory focusing on power and national interest in international relations.

Liberalism

A theory emphasizing cooperation, democracy, and international institutions.

Constructivism

A theory highlighting the role of social constructs and identities in politics.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units.

Presidential System

A government system where a president serves as the head of state and government.

1987 Constitution of the Philippines

Established after the People Power Revolution to restore democracy and promote human rights.

Preamble

Introduction of the Philippine Constitution expressing the aspirations of the Filipino people.

Bill of Rights

Guarantees individual rights and freedoms in the Philippine Constitution.

Written Constitution

A codified constitution in a single document, clear and accessible.

Unwritten Constitution

Based on statutes and conventions, flexible and adaptable.

Rigid Constitution

Difficult to amend, requiring special procedures.

Flexible Constitution

Can be amended easily through ordinary legislation.

Monarchy

A form of government where a single person (the monarch) rules the state.

Aristocracy

A government system where power is held by a small, privileged ruling class.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly participate in decision-making.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Inherent Powers

Powers essential for the government to function effectively, not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

State

A political entity with a defined territory, permanent population, and government.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws, consisting of Congress.

Executive Branch

The branch that enforces laws, headed by the President.

Judicial Branch

The branch that interprets laws, including the Supreme Court.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Internal Sovereignty

The power of a state to exercise authority over its own territory and population.

External Sovereignty

Recognition by other states and the ability to enter into relations with them.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that authority is created and sustained by the consent of the people.

Westphalian Sovereignty

Established in 1648, emphasizing territorial integrity and non-interference.

Stateless Nations

Nations like the Kurds and Basques that lack recognized independent states.

Nation

A group of people sharing a common identity, often based on culture or ethnicity.

State

A structured political unit with sovereignty over a defined geographic area.