INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Fundamentals of Political Science

(PSC111) (BAPS11) | Prof. Naomi D. Solano | SEM 1 2023
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limitations on government authority,

Definition of Political Science
and regulations governing public
Political science is the systematic study of officials. In a broader context, law
politics, governments, and political behavior. consists of rules established by
It covers subjects including the structure of competent authorities to govern
governments, the formulation of policies, the various aspects of human conduct
behavior of political figures and the general and activity, with distinct branches
population, as well as the impact of political addressing specific areas.
decisions on society. Political scientists ● Political Dynamics: Encompasses
analyze political systems, institutions, and the study of the forces influencing
processes to better understand and explain government and politics,
political phenomena and developments. emphasizing factors such as
pressure/interest groups, public
Areas of Study in Political Science opinion, and political parties. These
dynamic elements serve as the
● Political Theory: Examines the
driving forces behind political actors
fundamental principles and ideas
and perspectives, shaping the
that underpin political systems,
course of governance and policy-
exploring concepts such as justice,
making.
democracy, liberty, and authority.
● Public Policy: Analyzes the
● Comparative Politics: Compares
development, implementation, and
different political systems,
impact of government policies on
governments, and societies to
various issues like healthcare,
identify patterns, differences, and
education, the economy, and the
trends in areas like governance,
environment.
institutions, and public policy.
● Political Institutions: Studies the
● International Relations: Focuses on
structures and functions of political
interactions between countries,
organizations, including legislatures,
addressing issues such as
executives, and judiciaries, to
diplomacy, international
understand how they operate within
organizations, conflict resolution,
a political system.
and global cooperation.
● Political Behavior: Examines the
● Public Administration: Investigates
behavior of individuals and groups in
the functioning of government
the political context, including voting
bureaucracies, their efficiency, and
behavior, public opinion, political
their role in policy implementation.
parties, and interest groups.
● Political Philosophy: Engages with
● Political Economy: Explores the
deep philosophical questions about
intersection of politics and
justice, power, and governance,
economics, focusing on the
often discussing the moral
influence of economic factors on
foundations of political systems.
political decisions and vice versa.
● Public Law: Primarily focuses on the
organization of government offices,

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● Policy Analysis: Applies quantitative
and qualitative methods to evaluate
policies and their outcomes, aiming
to provide evidence-based
recommendations for policymakers.
● Political Sociology: Studies the
relationship between politics and
society, examining issues like social
movements, political culture, and the
impact of social structures on
politics.
● Security Studies: Investigates issues
related to national and international
security, including military strategy,
conflict resolution, and the study of
terrorism.
Political Science as a Social Science
Political science is a social science that
focuses specifically on the study of political
systems, government structures, political
behavior, and the theory and practice of
politics. While it shares some commonalities
with other social sciences, such as
sociology, economics, and psychology,
there are distinct differences that set
political science apart:
- Focus on Political Processes and
Institutions
- Emphasis on Government and
Public Policy
- Political Behavior and Attitudes
- International Relations
- Political Theory and Philosophy
Other Social Sciences
● Sociology examines society as a
whole, studying social structures,
relationships, and the behavior of
individuals and groups in various
contexts. It covers a wide range of
topics, from family dynamics to
cultural norms.
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● Economics primarily concerns itself
with the production, distribution, and
consumption of goods and services.
It focuses on economic systems,
markets, and the allocation of
resources.
● Psychology explores human
behavior, cognition, and emotions. It
delves into the study of individual
and group behavior but does not
necessarily focus on political
behavior or government structures.
● Anthropology studies human
societies and cultures, including their
origins, development, and diversity.
It often involves ethnographic
research and cultural analysis.
● Geography explores the physical
and human landscapes of the Earth.
It covers topics like landforms,
climate, population distribution,
urbanization, and spatial analysis.
● History is the study of past events
and their significance. Historians
analyze historical documents and
artifacts to understand the
development of societies, cultures,
and civilizations.
● Education researches the principles
and practices of teaching and
learning. It includes areas such as
educational psychology, curriculum
development, and educational
policy.
● Linguistics studies language and its
structure, evolution, and use. It
includes areas like sociolinguistics,
psycholinguistics, and language
acquisition.
● Gender studies examine the social
and cultural construction of gender
roles and identities. It explores
issues related to feminism,
masculinity, and gender equality.
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Importance of Political Science
Studying political science is highly relevant
and important for a variety of reasons. It
empowers individuals with a deep
understanding of political systems and
governments, enabling informed citizenship,
informed decision-making, and effective
advocacy for their beliefs and causes.
Moreover, a political science education
offers diverse career opportunities in fields
such as government, diplomacy, law, and
journalism, while also fostering global
awareness and a commitment to social
justice. Political science equips individuals
with the skills needed for conflict resolution,
policy analysis, and critical thinking,
ultimately encouraging civic engagement
and preparing them for leadership roles
where they can have a direct influence on
policy development and positive societal
change.
Notes
Political science is a social science that
specializes in the study of political systems,
government structures, political behavior,
and the theory and practice of politics. While
it shares some commonalities with other
social sciences like sociology, economics,
and psychology, there are distinct
differences that set it apart. One of its
primary focuses is the examination of
political processes, institutions, and
systems, encompassing governments,
legislatures, executives, and judiciaries, with
the goal of understanding how political
power is organized and exercised.
delves into the behavior, attitudes, and
decision-making of individuals and groups
within the political context, addressing
topics such as voting behavior, political
participation, and public opinion.
Additionally, political science dedicates a
substantial portion of its scope to
international relations, encompassing
diplomacy, international conflict,
cooperation, and the roles of international
organizations.
Another significant aspect of political
science is the exploration of political theory
and philosophy, which engages with
fundamental questions surrounding justice,
authority, and the moral foundations of
political systems. In contrast, other social
sciences like sociology, economics,
psychology, and anthropology have their
unique areas of focus, ranging from the
study of society, economic systems, and
human behavior to the examination of
cultures and social structures. Each
discipline brings its own perspective to the
understanding of the complex dynamics of
human society and behavior, making them
distinct yet complementary fields within the
realm of social sciences.

Furthermore, political science places a

strong emphasis on government structures
and the analysis of public policy, delving
into the intricate workings of government
agencies and their impact on society. It also

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