POSC 1000(003) Introduction to Politics

Unit One and Two: IntroductionRussell Alan Williams

Introduction and Key Concpets Required Reading: MacLean and Wood, Chap. 1 and 2Unit Objectives:

Introduction to “politics” the field of “political science”Introduction of key political concepts

Outline:1. Introduction2. What are “power” and “politics”?3. Approaches to the study of politics4. Key questions 5. Key concepts6. For next time

1) Introdctuction - themes

Politics is everywhereCitizens need to understand political processes

Politics is “unsavory”Its greasy . . .Full of conflict – it is not polite to disagree!!!!

“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”

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 . . .

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

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?

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

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 . . .

3) Approaches to Studying PoliticsStudy 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 observedVery good at explaining formal rules of politics . . .

• E.g. The Prorogation of Parliament 2008 Constitutional Crisis!

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

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.

3) Approaches to Studying PoliticsAcademic 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 . . . ?

Comparative Politics? Based on the “Comparative Approach”:

Method of political analysis that compares different systems political systems – usually by comparing across different statesAvoids “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

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 dependentE.g. the role of “Multinational Corporations

(MNCs)” in organizing both politics and the economyInstitutionalism: Approach that focuses on how existing institutions shape actors strategies and beliefs

4) Key Questions in Political ScienceConvergence? Are people’s 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 globalization’s role in promoting the spread of “Liberal Democracy” and “Capitalism”

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”

5) Key ConceptsThe study of politics has a vocabulary = “Concepts”

a)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?

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

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”?

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 one’s full potential – requires government involvement in the provision of opportunities

E.g. Education funding, “welfare”, etc.

6) For next time:

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