Chapter 1. Foundations of Political Science
Political science studies power, government, public policy and political behaviour. Central questions include who holds power, how it is used, and how it can be made legitimate and accountable [1][2].
Key concepts
Power: the ability to influence others. Authority: power accepted as legitimate. Legitimacy: the belief that those in power have the right to rule.
State: an entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, a government and sovereignty. Nation: a community with a shared sense of identity. Government: the people and institutions that exercise state power [1].
Sovereignty: supreme authority within a territory.
Political ideologies are sets of ideas about how society should be organized.
| Ideology | Core ideas |
|---|---|
| Liberalism | Individual liberty, rights, rule of law, limited government |
| Conservatism | Tradition, order, gradual change |
| Socialism | Equality, social ownership or strong state role in the economy |
| Nationalism | Loyalty to the nation, self-determination |
| Feminism | Gender equality in law, politics and society |
| Environmentalism | Protection of nature, sustainability |
Democracy. Dahl described democracy by criteria such as effective participation, equality of voting, enlightened understanding and control of the agenda [3]. Democracies may be direct or representative. Features include free and fair elections, political rights, an independent judiciary, a free press and protection of minorities [1][3].
Other regimes. Authoritarian systems concentrate power and limit competition; monarchies and military regimes are among the forms [2].
Political culture and participation. Voting, parties, interest groups, civil society, protests and media shape politics [1].
Review: Distinguish a state from a nation. (Answer: a state is a legal-political entity with territory, government and sovereignty; a nation is a community with shared identity.)