POSC 1000(003) Introduction to Politics

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POSC 1000(003) Introduction to Politics

• Unit One and Two Introduction
• Russell Alan Williams

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Introduction and Key Concpets

• Required Reading MacLean and Wood, Chap. 1 and
  2
• Unit Objectives
• Introduction to politics the field of
  political science
• Introduction of key political concepts
• Outline
• Introduction
• What are power and politics?
• Approaches to the study of politics
• Key questions
• Key concepts
• For next time

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1) Introdctuction - themes

• Politics is everywhere
• Citizens need to understand political processes
• Politics is unsavory
• Its greasy . . .
• Full of conflict it is not polite to
  disagree!!!!

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• Core political concepts are contested
• Debate about basic ideas
• E.g. Public vs. Private
• Some say politics is struggle over
  control/definition of concepts
• Political science is the master social science
• All other departments are limited subfields

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Why study politics?

• Its good for us . . .
• Collectivist perspective for civic reasons!
• We can make our communities better by
  understanding politics
• Individualist perspective for self interest!
• Knowing how the world works can help you get
  ahead . . .
• Only 4 of Memorial students are PS majors
• Almost 20 of employment is in PS related fields
• Government, law, communications . . .

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2) What are Power Politics?

• Politics is about Power Many definitions .
  . .
• Ability to achieve goals?
• Ability to get others to do what you want and not
  what they would choose to do?
• Implies coercion(?) the role of fear and
  penalties
• Power also involves Influence
• Ability to change behavior of others without use
  of direct power
• E.g. Charisma or expertise

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• Where do Power and Influence come from?
• Formal positions in Government
• The institutions and individuals responsible for
  carrying out the administration of the political
  system
• E.g. first ministers in the parliamentary system
  of government
• Wealth?
• Access to public opinion?

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• What role does Politics play in society?
• 1) Theoretically Politics is what allows humans
  to enjoy the benefits of Order
• Condition in which both units and interaction
  within a political system are marked by
  regularity and stability - with accepted and
  enforced rules and practices.
• E.g. Thomas Hobbes . . . .
• Politics involves both Conflict and Conflict
  Resolution
• E.g. Socialization politics involves the
  creation of social rules about appropriate
  behavior

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• What role does Politics play in society?
• 2) Practical Politics is our system of
  Decision-making
• The mechanisms by which authoritative judgments
  are made
• E.g. Harold Laswell Politics Who gets what,
  when and how
• 3) Practical Politics involves the creation of
  Public goods
• Resources produced by political system that can
  be enjoyed by individuals
• E.g. Peace, order and security . . .
• E.g. Roads . . .

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3) Approaches to Studying Politics

• Study of Politics has a long history many
  thinkers claimed as part of of political
  science. . . but formal study of politics is a
  modern phenomenon with three broad approaches
• 1) Analytical (or traditional) Approaches
• Studies politics empirically but not as a
  science draws on normative philosophy, law and
  history to understand structure and consequences
  of formal institutions.
• Empirical Analysis based on what can be
  observed
• Very good at explaining formal rules of politics
  . . .
• E.g. The Prorogation of Parliament
• 2008 Constitutional Crisis!

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• 2) Social Science approach Political
  Science
• Scientific study of human behavior and social and
  political phenomena.
• Also empirical, but seeks to predict outcomes
• E.g. Voter turnout and electoral systems?
• Proportional Representation (PR)
• high turnout
• Single Member Plurality (SMP)
• low turnout
• Involves optimism that knowledge of these facts
  can improve the quality of government and avoid
  the mistakes of history

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• 3) Post-Positivist approach Political
  Studies
• Scientific study of political phenomenon is not
  possible out theories shape our perception of
  the facts.
• Subjective Reality Reality is perceived and
  shaped by our personal experiences and biases.
• Tends to focus on theoretical and ideological
  argument how the world should be.

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3) Approaches to Studying Politics

• Academic subfields in modern political science
• Political Theory Study of political values and
  ideologies
• Public Policy and Administration Study of
  government administration
• International Politics Study of foreign policy
  and relations among states and other actors at
  the international level international
  relations
• Levels of Analysis Modern politics requires
  attention to three levels individual, domestic
  politics, and the international system
• Comparative Politics . . . ?

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• Comparative Politics? Based on the Comparative
  Approach
• Method of political analysis that compares
  different systems political systems usually by
  comparing across different states
• Avoids Ethnocentrism Belief that one society
  of group is unique/superior.
• Search is for shared lessons
• Most Similar Systems Method
• Look at systems that are very similar to try to
  identify what causes different outcomes
• E.g. Australia and Canada
• Most Different Systems Method
• Look at states with big differences that
  experience similar political outcomes
• E.g. Youth political participation

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• Theoretical approaches in political science
• Constructivism Approach that focuses on where
  values or norms of behavior come from.
• Behaviouralism Approach that focuses on
  understanding and predicting behavior of
  political actors.
• E.g. Public opinion and polling
• Political Economy Approach that views the
  political and economic spheres as mutually
  dependent
• E.g. the role of Multinational Corporations
  (MNCs) in organizing both politics and the
  economy
• Institutionalism Approach that focuses on how
  existing institutions shape actors strategies and
  beliefs

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4) Key Questions in Political Science

• Convergence? Are peoples values and political
  institutions becoming more alike?
• E.g. Globalization Intensification of
  economic, political and cultural relations across
  borders.
• Challenges traditional importance of the
• State Basic political unit has defined
  territory, sovereignty and people and a central
  government responsible for administration.
• Sovereignty Recognition by other states, that
  a government has political authority over a
  particular state and territory.
• Citizenship Status granted to people of a
  particular state includes rights and
  responsibilities
• Traditionally defined the limits of political
  obligations
• Debate over globalizations role in promoting the
  spread of Liberal Democracy and Capitalism

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• Divergence? Conflict, rivalry and a clash of
  civilizations?
• People have different identity(ies) An
  individual's beliefs about their individuality
  and group membership.
• Identity politics at core of many major political
  problems . . .
• E.g. Ethnic and Religious Conflict War or
  opposition among different racial, linguistic
  ethnic or religious groups.
• E.g. Terrorism
• E.g. Economic disputes and
• Protectionism
• Multiculturalism Peaceful coexistence of
  multiple groups with different cultural, ethnic
  and religious identities in one state
• Not a norm of politics . . . . Instead
• Nations Group with shared ethnic, linguistic,
  religious and historical beliefs
• Often mistakenly believed to be the key political
  unit
• Nation-state A state based on the existence of
  a single majoritarian nation

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5) Key Concepts

• The study of politics has a vocabulary
  Concepts
• Political Organization
• Types of Government
• Democracy, Monarchy, Tyranny,
  Authoritarianism . . .
• Liberal Democracy Political system based on
  freedom, the rule of law and the principle that
  government requires the assent of citizens
  through an electoral process and representative
  institutions.
• The global standard?

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• Types of structure
• System Groups of individuals and entities that
  interact with one another in a structural pattern
• E.g. The International System The relations
  amongst states at the global level
• Organizations Structured relations existing
  within a political community that are established
  to distribute both responsibilities and
  privileges for actors.
• E.g. Political Parties
• Institutions formal organizations and agencies
  that are responsible for particular societal
  needs or activities
• Create rules for political behavior . . . .
• E.g. the United Nations, the courts, Parliament,
  Federalism . . . . Strong institutions are seen
  as key to political stability and democracy.
  Weak institutions promote corruption and conflict
• E.g. Legitimacy What is lawful, proper, and
  conforms to the perceived standards of a
  political system

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• b) Values
• Values Principles and standards that an
  individual or community thinks are meaningful.
• E.g. Equality, Social Order, Rights and
  Security
• Justice Ideas about what is right and fair
  within a society.
• Key area of political conflict what are
  economic and social justice?

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• b) Values
• Values Principles and standards that an
  individual or community thinks are meaningful.
• E.g. Equality, Social Order, Rights and
  Security
• Justice Ideas about what is right and fair
  within a society.
• Key area of political conflict what are
  economic and social justice?
• Negative Liberty/Freedom Governments should
  not interfere individuals have a right to
  choose
• E.g. freedom of speech, freedom for the press,
  absence of sin taxes etc.
• License Freedom to do what one pleases
• Positive Liberty/Freedom Freedom to achieve
  ones full potential requires government
  involvement in the provision of opportunities
• E.g. Education funding, welfare, etc.

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6) For next time

• Unit Three Politics and Ideology - Required
  Reading MacLean and Wood, Chapter 3.