THE COUNCIL OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES OF JAMAICA

COMMON COURSEWORK

SEMESTER II – FEBRUARY 2023

PROGRAMME: BUSINESS STUDIES

COURSE NAME: INTRODUCTION TO THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

CODE: POLT4701

YEAR GROUP: FOUR

DUE DATE: WEEK of MARCH 3rd

UNIT:

ASSESSMENT TYPE: COURSEWORK I – GROUP: PRESENTATION 20%

INSTRUCTION:

Students will conduct research on THREE (3) of the following ideologists and their political
ideologies.

 Adam Smith and classical liberalism

 John Stuart Mill and utilitarianism
 Karl Marx and Marxism
 John Locke and social contract theory

1. Explain what is meant by Political Ideologies. (5 marks)

Political ideologies refer to a set of beliefs and principles that shape and guide political actions and policies.
These ideologies aim to provide a framework for understanding political, economic, and social issues, as
well as offer solutions to them. Political ideologies are often informed by historical, cultural, and
philosophical factors, and they can have a significant impact on the direction of government policies, laws,

2022/2023- Semester 2
Introduction to the Political Environment
and regulations.

Political ideologies can be divided into two broad categories: left-wing and right-wing. Left-wing ideologies
generally support greater government intervention in the economy, increased social welfare programs, and
more equitable distribution of wealth and power. Right-wing ideologies tend to favour less government
intervention in the economy, greater emphasis on individual liberty, and a more traditional view of social
order and hierarchy.

Within these broad categories, there are numerous political ideologies, each with their own distinct set of
beliefs and principles. Some examples of political ideologies include liberalism, conservatism, socialism,
communism, fascism, libertarianism, and environmentalism, among others.

2. Identify FIVE (5) ancient Political Philosophers. (5 marks)

 Aristotle
A Greek philosopher who was a student of Plato and lived in Athens in the 4th century BCE.
He wrote extensively on politics, ethics, and metaphysics, and his works have had a profound
influence on Western philosophy. His most famous works on politics are "Politics" and
"Nicomachean Ethics".

 Plato
A Greek philosopher who lived in Athens in the 4th century BCE. He founded the Academy in
Athens, one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world and is famous for his
works such as "The Republic" and "The Laws", in which he discusses the nature of justice,
governance, and the ideal state.

 Machiavelli

An Italian philosopher and politician who lived during the 15th and 16th centuries. He is best
known for his work "The Prince", in which he offers advice to rulers on how to maintain power
and control. He is considered a controversial figure, as his ideas on the use of force and
deception in politics were considered radical for his time.

 Confucius

A Chinese philosopher who lived during the 6th century BCE. He is known for his teachings on
ethics, morality, and political philosophy, which emphasize the importance of social harmony,
justice, and the cultivation of virtue. His teachings have had a significant influence on Chinese
and East Asian philosophy and culture.

 Sun Tzu
A Chinese general and philosopher who lived during the 5th century BCE. He is known for his
book "The Art of War", which is a treatise on military strategy and tactics. His work has had a
profound influence on military theory, and it has also been applied to business, politics, and
other areas of human endeavor.
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Introduction to the Political Environment
3. Explain the Political thoughts of THREE (3) of the Philosophers you have identified.
(15 arks)
4. Discuss TWO (2) reasons why Aristotle seems to prefer Constitutional Government over
Democracy. (15 marks)

2022/2023- Semester 2
Introduction to the Political Environment
(15 marks)

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Introduction to the Political Environment
Mark Scheme:

Content 40 marks

Creativity
5 marks

Language 5 marks

Teamwork/Organisation 5marks

References (APA format) 5 marks

Total 60 marks

2022/2023- Semester 2
Introduction to the Political Environment