THEOPHILUS POLI 111 nature and scope of p

Introduction to Political Science

• Political Science is the systematic study of politics, governance, and power dynamics in society.

• It includes various themes and concepts fundamental for understanding how political systems operate.

Topics of Study

1. Nature and Scope of Political Science

2. Nation, State, and Nation-State

3. Key Concepts:

   • Power

   • Authority

   • Influence

   • Legitimacy

   • Sovereignty

4. Ideology

5. Government

6. Democracy and Good Governance

Meaning and Scope of Politics

• Meaning of Politics: Politics refers to the activities associated with governance of a country or area, particularly the debate between parties having power.

• Scientific Nature of Politics: Politics is approached systematically, aiming for objective study and analysis.

• Scope of Political Science: Covers diverse fields within political study, such as theoretical frameworks, comparative studies, and areas of public administration.

Nature of Politics

• Definitions of Politics: Various definitions capture distinct attributes, such as governance, conflict, and social relationships.

• Common Themes: Include the relationship dynamics between rulers and the ruled, as well as the contextual relevance of political actions.

Fields of Political Science

• Political Theory or Political Thought: Explores philosophical foundations and historical evolution of political ideas.

• Comparative Politics: Analyzes and compares political systems, highlighting similarities and differences worldwide.

• Public Administration: Studies the management and implementation of public policies by governmental agencies.

• International Politics or Relations: Examines the interactions between states and international organizations.

Purpose of Studying Political Science

• Enhancements in Self-Improvement.

• Clarifies Self-Interest in societal mechanics.

• Facilitates Career Development.

• Develops Analytical Skills for better decision-making in political contexts.

• Builds insights into Self-Knowledge and societal roles.

Origin and Philosophy of Politics

• The term "politics" derives from the Greek word "polis," meaning city-state, establishing the foundation of political interactions within communities.

• Aristotle's Dictum: "Man is a political animal" emphasizes the necessity of human interaction within political communities.

Definitions and Views on Politics

• Multiple definitions exist with varied strengths and weaknesses, including:

  • The Art of the Possible: Acknowledges practical limits in political ambitions but can be overly general.

  • The Governing of Man: Highlights governance relationships; however, lacks depth in defining governance dimensions.

  • The Struggle for Power: Centralizes political activity around power dynamics but misconstrues non-political relationships as political.

  • Who Gets What, When, and How: Addresses resource distribution; however, it may be too simplistic to cover broader political dynamics.

  • Authoritative Allocation of Values: Focuses on how values and resources are distributed but varies in interpretation of terms.

  • Politics as Public Affairs: Stresses collective management over private matters; debated by various scholars.

Scientific Nature of Politics

• Defined by systematization and observation, like other sciences. Political Science engages in problem formulation, real issue investigations, and employs objective methods.

• Two schools of thought exist:

  • Political Science as a Science: Advocated by Aristotle, emphasizes methodical investigation and data analysis.

  • Political Science as an Art: Led by Maitland, suggests the subjective nature of political behavior limits strict scientific categorization.

Fields of Political Science Expanded

• Transformative clusters of Political Science include:

  • Political Theory: Analyzes historical perspectives of key political philosophers.

  • Public Administration: Studies government function, policy making and implementation.

  • Comparative Politics: Evaluates diverse political systems and governance structures.

  • International Politics: Focuses on global relations, diplomacy, and laws governing state interactions.