“MAN BY NATURE IS A POLITICAL

ANIMAL” -ARISTOTLE
• For him this made POLITICS the ‘MASTER SCIENCE’ it
means nothing less than the activity through which
human beings attempt to improve their lives and create
the GOOD SOCIETY.
• POLITICS is above all
• POLITICS is a social activity
• POLITICS is always a dialogue and never a monologue
• To study POLITICS is to study the exercise of authority.
• POLITICS is the ART of government

• POLITICS is the ART of government – the

exercise of control with in the society
through the making and enforcement of
collective decisions.
Heywood 1987
 POLITICS
• came from the word POLIS meaning “of or pertaining to
state” in Greek.
• It is also the root word for POLITES meaning people or
citizens and POLITIKOS meaning “of, for, or relating to
citizens which also translates to affairs of the state.
• It involves decision making
• It involves law-making
• It involves Governance
• Study of practice and distribution of powers.
 POLITICS
• The first use of the singular politic showed up in English in the
1400’s, coming from the middle French POLITIQUE “ policy”
• The word moved into latin language as POLITICUS “ CITY or
CIVICS”

• WHO GAVE THE WORD POLITICS?

Greek Philosopher ARISTOTLE

The word POLITICS is POLITIKE short for political episteme or
POLITICAL SCIENCE
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLITICAL SCIENCE
AND POLITICS
TRADITIONAL VIEW
POLITICS POLITICAL SCIENCE
the issues, problems and political activities is a social science which studies the State and
which are actually taking place in society. Government.
is concerned with the day to day actual seeks to study the origin, nature, and functions
activities of the government. of the state, government and all its organs.
differs form state to state and within a state The principles are universal.
from time to time
each of one of us is involved in politics, Studied only by students of social discipline
either, directly or indirectly
is an art which is related to the practical Science of State- BLUNTSCHLI
problems of the state and government -
BLUNTSCHLI
NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POLITICS & POLITICAL
SCIENCE
MODERN VIEW
In contemporary times all political scientists believe that there is no real
difference between Politics and Political Science
Political Science studies Politics and hence can be called Politics
State and Government are the two main institutions of Political life of
man. And these are the main objects of study in Politics.
The term Politics and Political Science are synonyms.
Politics and Political Science means the study of all political relations and
interactions.
Politics describes the study of state, government, political relations and
political processes.
Have these Traditional Approach and Behavioral Approach
 TRADITIONAL BEHAVIORAL
APPROACH APPROACH
 to understand  focus on more
the truth about concrete task of
politics describing and
predicting political
To assess how behaviors and the
well a particular dynamics and
policy, process, outcomes of political
or institution works processes
Note:
 there is no real difference between Political Science
and Politics. Political Science studies Politics example:
all political relations and interactions in society. Hence it
is called politics.
Modern Political Scientists reject the traditional view
which make distinctions.
 PURPOSE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
 by studying political science, we become more aware of
our dependence on the political system and better
equipped to determine when to favor and oppose change.
(Garner, 1998)
To be able to advise communities on how to become more
effective
To have better political opinions and decisions.
To foster moral intellectual growth. (Garner, 1998)
 POLITICS AND EVERYDAY LIFE
• Politics is all about the way human beings are governed, which involves
order, power, and justice.
• It involves the government’s day-to-day performance
• It does not affect only one individual, but is inextricably bound up with the
perpetual quest for what is fair or just in light of the interest of the entire
community.
• The use of political power affects the lives and well-being of private citizens.
• An issue become political when the government must render a decision,
which must always be for the common good of the community.
 GOVERNANCE
 came form the latin verb “gubernare” or more originally
from Greek word “kubernaein” which means “to steer”.
Refers to the manner of steering or governing, or of
directing and controlling, a group of people or state.
 is commonly defined as the exercise of power or authority
by political leaders for the well-being of their country’s
citizens or subjects.
 it is the exercise of political, economic and administrative
authority to manage nation’s affairs.
 GOVERNANCE
 it is the complex mechanisms, processes and institutions
through which citizens and groups articulate their interests,
exercise their legal rights and obligations and mediate
differences (McCawley, 2005).
 it is the manner in which power is exercised in the
management of a country’s social and economic resources
for development.
 it means the way those with power use that power
(McCawley, 2005).
 GOVERNANCE
 the traditions and institutions by which authority in a
country is exercised for the common good.
(i) the process by which those in authority are selected,
monitored and replaced,
(ii) The capacity of the government to effectively manage its
resources and implement sound policies,
(iii) Respect of citizens and the state for the institutions that
govern economic and social interactions (McCawley,
2005).
 GOVERNANCE
 broader term that government
 it refers, in its widest sense, to the various ways through
which social life is coordinated.
 United Nations (2012) consider governance: “Good and
democratic” to the degree in which a country’s institutions
and processes are transparent.
Good governance promotes equity, participation,
pluralism, transparency, accountability and the rule of law
GREATEST THREATS TO A GOOD GOVERNANCE

1.CORRUPTION
2.VIOLENCE
3.POVERTY
 VALUES OF POLITICS
A. Study of Politics seeks to know how human life in the aggregate is ordered.
(Magstadt & Schoten, 1988)
1. Community – one kind of social order which is an association of
individuals who share common identity defined by geography, sense of
common purpose, and a single political allegiance.
2. Government – a political order that maintains and perpetuates the
community. It is said to possess SOVEREIGNTY. Also, it is said to be legitimate.
3. Nation-State – most distinctive and largest self-sufficient political
configuration in the modern world.
 FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
a. MONARCHY- one man (king) noted his noble lineage and
honor is vested with the right to rule and control the society
. If a king/queen pursues his own selfish interest this may
turn into “TYRANNY”.
b. ARISTOCRACY- a selected few who are known for their
wealth and education have the right to rule. If this
selected few pursue their own personal interests this may
end up in becoming “OLIGARCHY”.
c. DEMOCRACY- it is rule by the people, for the people, and
of the people.
 NATION-STATE
NATION – is 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 – denotes the existence of a viable, sovereign government
exercising authority and power in the name of the society.
 is a community of persons more or less numerous, permanently
occupying a definite portion of territory, having a government of
their own to which the great body of inhabitants render
obedience, and enjoying freedom from external control.
 GOVERNMENT
• Can be seen as one of the institutions involved in governance
• In most dictionaries “government” and “governance” are interchangeably
used, both denoting the exercise of authority in an organization, institution or
state. Government is the name given to the entity exercising that authority.
Authority can most simply define as legitimate power
 THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT
MAINTAIN ORDER WITHOUT POWER
• THEREare many sources of power aside
from physical force. (ex: wealth, eloquent
oratorty)
• The more abundant the power source,
the greater the capabilities of the
government.