Understanding Politics,

Governance,
and Political Science
By Prof. Jet T. Castillo
What is Politics?
It is derived from the Greek word “POLIS”
• Polis means “city-state”
• Today we have cities that end with
“polis” because polis means “city”
• Example: Acropolis, Metropolis,
Minneapolis, Indianapolis
• In Ancient Greece, a city is already a
state, or a country.
It is derived from the Greek word “POLIS”
• A Polis has its own ruler, set of laws, law-abiding citizens, and
sovereignty.
• Thus, what happens inside the Polis, particularly running the Polis, is
called “politics”, or affairs of the Polis.
Politics
• In essence, Politics is the use of one’s power to benefit oneself or
others.
• Not all politics is dirty. It can be used to benefit others, specially the
ones who really need help.
Politics
• Politics is not confined in government only.
• Politics can be practiced anywhere and
everywhere.
• As long as you are using your powers, you
are doing a political activity.
• Politics can even exist between friends, also
between lovers.
Governance
• Since politics is the use of power in any situation,
GOVERNANCE is politics in the context of running an
organization.
• Small organizations like clubs, to larger ones like schools,
corporations, LGUs, and to the nation itself.
• Governance is the act of making the organization orderly
and functioning as it should.
Political Science
• Political Science is the study of politics.
• Political Science analyzes the dynamics of politics – the principles that
govern the relationships of rulers and the people, and how the
political unit will react when given some political actions.
• Political Science seeks to discover solutions to problems that the
“polis” (political unit) is facing. It uses the scientific method.
• Rulers and scholars must have a great grasp of political science for
better governance of the “polis” (political unit).
Related Fields
• The following fields help political scientists do their job better.
• A good political scientist has a good grasp of the following…
History
• Knowledge of the roots of social issues, or causes of the problems we
experience today.
• Since history repeats itself, do not follow bad examples of past people
and governments.
Geography
• Geography is History’s twin.
• If you study history, you must also study geography. Historical events
happen over a geographical space.
• Knowledge of the physical space that the political unit occupies is key
in making sound political moves.
Sociology
• Sociology understands the relationships and dynamics of social
institutions.
• Sociology sees the “polis” as an intricate cobweb of relationships of
families, government, religion, culture, etc.
Economics
• One of the biggest objective of governance is to meet the economic
needs of the nation.
• By understanding how the economy behaves, leaders of the nation
can make better political decisions.
Psychology
• In exercising politics, one must be conscious of the other person’s
sentiments, thoughts, feelings, and possible reactionary behavior.
Philosophy
• Politicians and leaders need to have a great standard of morality and
ethics, and a noble view on the purpose and meaning of life.
Jurisprudence
• The study of Law and Justice
• Political Science students need to know the ins and outs of laws.
Summary
• Today, we have seen the meanings of…
• Politics
• Governance
• Political Science

• We have also seen that Political Science is allied with…

• History, Geography, Psychology, Economics, Sociology, Jurisprudence
and Philosophy