POSC 1000(003) Introduction to Politics Unit One and Two: Introduction Russell Alan Williams

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: 1. Introduction 2. What are “power” and “politics”? 3. Approaches to the study of politics 4. Key questions 5. Key concepts 6. For next time

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!!!!!!!!

“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 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!

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 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... ?

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

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

4) Key Questions in Political Science Convergence?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 Concepts The 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.