What is Political Science?

An introduction to the study of politics

What is Political Science?

• Aristotle called Poli.Sci. 'the most authoritative art' and 'most truly the master art‘

Why?• Politics envelopes

everything…• The reason is that 'the

happiness of the individual is the same as that of the state' (Politics VII.2), 'the end of individuals and of states is the same' (Politics VII.15).

Plato and Aristotle

What is Political Science?

• What is political science? The scientific study of politics

and government

• What political science is not?

A perfect science that has all the answers

• Is political science a science? If so, how is politics scientific?

Branches of Political Science

• Political Theory• International Politics• Domestic Politics• Comparative Politics• Political Statistics• Public Administration• Provincial/Local

Politics

Defining Politics and Political Science:

Some definitions of politics:• At its most basic level, politics is

the struggle of "who gets what, when, how.”

• The study of human interaction and organization with a view of maximizing happiness and human potential for both men and women

• Groucho Marx - "politics is the art of finding trouble everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy."

Groucho Marx

Additional Definitions of Politics

"politics is a means through which individual and group interests compete to shape government's impact on society's problems and goals"

"the process by which rulers are selected and empowered to make decisions, take action to attain common goals, and reconcile conflicts within a political community"

What is Politics?

• Are we always going to be happy with the decisions that are made? If not, how will we react? The way we react is called politics.

• In essence, politics is an activity whereby an individual or group seeks power by mobilizing support for their particular point of view. Politics is the ability to get what you want by obtaining power. What is Power? The Essence of Politics?

What is Power?

• Power is the ability of a person, group, or nation to get what it wants.

• As an equation, power is: The ability of A to get B to do X (or not do X)

• In the case of governments, they can use soft power (e.g. persuasion), or hard power (e.g. military force)

U.S. Aircraft Carrier.

Other Definitions of Power– The ability of one person to get

another to do his or her bidding – The ability of governments, and

of governmental leaders, to make and enforce rules and to influence the behavior of individuals or groups by rewarding or punishing certain behaviors

Robert Dahl: “ A has power over B to the extent that A can get B to do something that B would otherwise not do”

Steven Lukes: “A exercises power over B when A affects B in a manner contrary to B’s interests”

What do Political Scientists do?

Political scientists study conflicts, both small and large, in an effort to develop general principles or theories about the way the world of politics works.

Basic Concepts in Political Science• Legitimacy:

People's attitude that the government's rule is rightful

Gained through: • Existing for a

long time • Governing well • Structure of

government • National symbols

North Korean Leader Kim Jong il

Concepts in Poli SciSovereignty: National control over the

country's territory Authority: Psychological ability of

leaders to get others to obey them – Most people obey what they

consider to be legitimate authority most of the time

Order: The structures rules and practices enforced by a group of people

Community: An association of individuals who share a common identity

Government: Those persons and institutions that make and enforce rules or laws for the larger community

Canada’s claim of sovereigntyOver Canada’s North

Concepts in Political ScienceNation-State: Geographically

defined community administered by a government

• Nation: Made up of a distinct group of people who share a common background, including any or all of the following: geographic location, history, racial or ethnic characteristics, religion, language, culture, and belief in common political ideas

• State: A viable, sovereign government exercising authority and power in the name of society Serbian Nationalism

Additional terms that a political scientist needs to know

• Citizenship: Membership in a political community, such as a country, including rights, duties and responsibilities.

• Government: A system by which a group of people makes laws that are enforced to guide the affairs of the community, such as a country, province or municipality.

• Society: A group of interacting people who share a community

• Authoritarian: A form of decision making or a government system in which one person, or a small group holds all power (e.g. a dictatorship).

• Democratic: A form of decision making in which all group members have a vote.

• Consensus: A group decision reached through discussion to which all group members agree.

Consensus: Not easy!

Here’s some more!• Politics: A human activity in which opposing individuals or groups mobilize support to

obtain power to govern.

• Power: The ability of an individual or group to get what it wants. (The ability of A to get B to do C)

• Common Good: That which benefits all (or most) people in a community or society.

• Rule of Law: The fundamental constitutional principle that no government or person is above the law and that society is governed by laws that apply fairly to all; sometimes referred to as “law and order”

• Direct Democracy: A government in which all citizens directly participate in decision making without representatives (Ancient Greece)

• Representative Democracy: A democracy in which citizens periodically elect others to represent them in government.

The Beginnings of Democracy• The origin of democracy goes

back to the 5th Century BC (495-429 BC).

• The “polis” (city) of Athens was the most famous of the city states. It was here that the idea of democracy first took shape; that is, that citizens of the city could have a direct say in the affairs of the state. This democracy was direct democracy since people could make political decisions themselves without representation.

• However, only free born males over a certain age could vote. Women and slaves were excluded from political participation (politics).

Plato: Greek Philosopher

The Beginnings of Democracy• However, as Athens grew in size,

the idea of Direct Democracy became impossible to maintain (too many decision makers).

• As a result, their system was eventually changed to a Representative Democracy whereby citizens would elect other citizens to represent them. The role of these representatives (politicians) was to give a voice to the concerns of their communities.

• Plato, Socrates and others were deeply critical of representative democracy. Socrates was later put to death for his views. Why?

The Trial of Socrates

Representative Democracy

• In our current democratic system, we use political leaders to represent our concerns within Canada’s Political institutions.

• However, if we cannot exercise direct democracy except at the ballot box, is it still democracy? What if they make decisions without our consent? What if they satisfy the majority of Canadians (to win elections), but ignore minority voices?

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper

Hurricane Katrina

During the flooding of New Orleans, the U.S. Army wassent in to restore order. However, in many areas therewas an absence of authority. Government simply did not exist. What happened?

Hurricane Katrina

Looting in downtown New Orleans

Hurricane Katrina

The response to Looting. Is this necessary?

Jean Jacques Rousseau• French Philosopher Jean-Jacques

Rousseau (1712-1778) disagreed with Hobbes and thought that societies were free and friendly before governments were formed. In his famous political work The Social Contract he states that “Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains”.

• He believed that humans have a general idea of what is the “Common good”. That is, they know what is morally right and wrong. All we need is a “Social Contract” which represents the general will of the people. Our common sense will save us from ourselves; not an all powerful government. Do you agree with Rousseau?

Why do these students Obey?

Why do People Obey?

Why are they waiting in line? Did someone teach them?

The Magna Carta

• The Magna Carta was signed in 1215 by King John.

• With the Magna Carta, governments and people must follow the law; even the King!

The French Revolution

• King Louis was an Absolute Monarch. He was referred to as the “Sun King” and above the rule of law.

• He was later replaced by Louis 16th. The French people eventually revolted against his absolute power. The result? The French Revolution

Louis the 14th

The French Revolution (1789)

The Execution of King Louis the16th

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Questions for Discussion

• How do Hobbes and Rousseau’s views on human nature differ?

• Do you agree with Hobbes or Rousseau? Explain your answer in a short paragraph (150 words)