Chapter 9. Political Science and International Relations

Political science studies power, governance, institutions and public policy [26].

Key concepts: power (ability to influence others), authority (legitimate power), legitimacy, sovereignty and the state, defined by Weber as a body that claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a territory [9][26].

Types of political systems

Democracies: power derives from citizens through free and fair elections, with protection of rights. They can be direct or representative.

Authoritarian regimes: power is concentrated, often with limited political competition and restricted freedoms.

Hybrid systems combine features of both [26].

Institutions

Separation of powers: dividing government into executive, legislative and judicial branches (Montesquieu).

Presidential vs parliamentary systems: in presidential systems the head of government is separately elected; in parliamentary systems the government depends on the legislature’s confidence.

Unitary vs federal states: power concentrated centrally, or shared between national and regional governments.

Electoral systems: for example, first-past-the-post (winner in each district) and proportional representation (seats awarded in proportion to votes) [26].

Ideologies: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, nationalism, feminism and environmentalism are among the major families of political ideas. They differ on the role of state, markets, tradition, equality and liberty.

Political participation: voting, parties, interest groups, civil society, protest and the media.

International relations (IR). Main theories [27]:

Realism: states pursue power and security in an anarchic international system.

Liberalism: cooperation, institutions and trade can reduce conflict.

Constructivism: ideas, identities and norms shape state behaviour.

International organizations include the United Nations, regional bodies such as the European Union, African Union and ASEAN, and economic bodies such as the World Trade Organization.

Global issues: security and conflict, human rights, climate change, trade, migration and pandemics [27][38].

Review: What is the separation of powers? (Answer: dividing government into executive, legislative and judicial branches to limit abuse of power.)