Politics
- the formulation, implementation, and adjudication of laws and policies that dictates the ‘rules of the game’ governing the actions
of the people
Four Views of Politics
ART OF GOVERNMENT- all activities and processes that concern the affairs of the state
PUBLIC AFFAIRS- the line between the public sphere and non-political private sphere
COMPROMISE AND CONSENSUS- the practice of conducting debates, deliberations, and negotiations in resolving
issues or conflicts concerning the state instead of waging war
POWER- ability to exert influence over others and struggle for the distribution of scarce resources
POLITICAL SCIENCE- the systematic study of governance and policies, political culture and activities, power relations, and
ideologies
Goals of Political Science
To describe the issue using relevant systematic approaches
To prescribe a holistic and efficient solution to the problem
Tools of Political Analysis
CONCEPT- word or phrase that conveys a general idea to aid its exploration, understanding, and analysis
MODEL- an analytical framework showing the relationships and interactions among different concepts of data
THEORY- a systematic explanation of empirical data covering a broader scope of a model
IDEOLOGICAL TRADITION OR PARADIGM- are principles from philosophies or schools of thought that direct or guide
the analysis of political phenomena
Political Ideology
- a set of ideas that provides a basis for organized political action
Basic Tenets of Major Ideologies
LIBERALISM- prioritizes individual interests and the notions of freedom, liberty, rationalism, and equality
CONSERVATISM- rejects attempts for change and reforms to conserve the traditions, customs, and institutions
SOCIALISM- responds to the experience of systemic exploitation and social inequality by facilitating social change within
a community
FASCISM- seeks to unite people for the glory of their nation race
ANARCHISM- rejects any dominant and coercive authority, like the state or religious institutions
FEMINISM- critiques the inequality between males and females
Core Elements of Liberalism
INDIVIDUALISM- puts the primacy of the individual over the collective body. It forwards establishing a society that
provides an environment for individuals with their abilities and potentials to flourish
FREEDOM- allows individuals to act as they please, provided they do not overstep on the liberty of others. It is prioritized
over other values
RATIONALISM- humans possess a rational mind which allows them to make sense of the world by reasoning and critical
thinking. Humans are also the best judges of their interest and what is good for them
EQUALITY- individuals are born equal in terms of moral worth
Core Elements of Conservatism
TRADITTION- preserving the old order
PRAGMATISM- believe in the limits of human reasoning. Practical way of doings things using measures that have been
tested through time and proven effective
HUMAN IMPERFECTION- believe in human limits and imperfection which require them to live in orderly societies
ORGANICISM- they see society as an organic whole. Society is formed as a necessity
HIERARCHY- in social position and status is seen as a natural occurrence
AUTHORITY- a mechanism that provides leadership and guidance
PROPERTY- provides a sense of security and prompts people to have boundaries and respect for other people and their
properties
Core Elements of Socialism
COMMUNITY- links individual’s identity to its membership in social groups in community
FRATERNITY- individuals shares a sense of fraternity and belongingness.
SOCIAL EQUALITY- emphasizes equality
NEED- allocation of resources based on the needs of the people inside the community
SOCIAL CLASS- social inequality and labour exploitation
COMMON OWNERSHIP- more effective means of harnessing resources
Power
- the capability to produce preferred results through whatever means
Instruments of Power
POWER THROUGH THE USE OF FORCE- exercised using force to compel people to comply with policies set by the
authority
POWER THROUGH PERSUASION- ability to conceive people that a certain measure, action, or decision is correct and
valid
POWER THROUGH LOYALTY- shown in the devotion of constituents to fulfil a popular leader’s aspirations
Dimensions of Power
DECISION-MAKING POWER- involves measures and actions that control or influence decisions
NON-DECISION-MAKING POWER- involves controlling the political agenda, where issues or proposals get discussed or
barred from the political arena
POWER AS THOUGHT CONTROL- involves influencing others by shaping their thoughts and preferences
Types of Power
HARD POWER- focuses on military interventions and economic sanctions to achieve national interests or penalize other
states
SOFT POWER- uses persuasion and other means of appeal and attraction to achieve a desired outcome instead of
coercion
AUTHORITY- refer to the right to influence the behaviour of others based on the duty to obey
Types of Authority
TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY- derived from traditions, customs, and institutions
CHARISMATIC AUTHORITY- derived from the public perception of a leader
LEGAL-RATIONAL AUTHORITY- derived from the formulation and enforcement or rules
State
- a community of people occupying a territory that has a government and enjoys freedom from external control.
Elements of The State
POPULATION- people living within the territory
TERRITORY- the land and waters within geographical boundaries
GOVERNMENT- the mechanism that ensures services for the people are delivered and maintains the law and order in the
territory
SOVEREIGNTY- the absolute power and autonomy of the state, free from intervention of other states
Characteristics of Sovereignty
ABSOLUTE- sovereignty as supreme power over subjects and their possessions unrestrained by law
COMPREHENSIVE- the sovereignty of a nation-state is comprehensive for its supreme legal authority extends to all
PERMANENT- sovereignty is perpetual in the sense that as long as the state exists, sovereignty also exists
INDIVISIBLE- act of sovereignty, every act in the name of the general will binds and favours all the citizens equally
Types of State Sovereignty
LEGAL SOVEREIGNTY- supreme authority of the state expressed by the law and the constitution
POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY- also known as electoral sovereignty in the sense that this supreme authority of the state is
exercise by the electorate in the choice of public officers at least during election time
POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY- this authority means that the people are the ultimate source of power and so they possess
coercive power to control the government through which they allow themselves to be governed
DE FACTO SOVEREIGNTY- is vested on a person or a group of person who have succeeded in displacing the legitimate
sovereign
DE JURE SOVEREIGNTY- means that sovereignty is formally expressed by the constitution and by the laws enacted
conformably with its provisions
Features of The State
State is sovereign
State institutions are public
State is an exercise in legitimation
State is an instrument of domination
State is a territorial association
Theories of State
Divine Right Theory
Patriarchal Theory
Economic Theory
Social Contract Theory
Instinctive Theory
Force Theory
Government
- defined by institutional processes that operate at the national level to maintain public order and facilitate collective action
Forms of Government
DEMOCRACY- a form of government characterized by the conduct of elections and the promotion of civil rights and
political freedom, such as free speech and association
MONARCHY- a form of government characterized as the rule of one called a monarch as the head of state (ex: King and
Queen)
OLIGARCHY- a form of government characterized as the rule of the few, commonly by aristocrats or a military junta
THEOCRACY- a form of government characterized as the rule by God where a religious leader or a religious group
serves as the head of state
AUTHORITARIANISM- a form of government where power and authority are concentrated in one individual, like a
dictatorship
Nation
-a group of people with sense of unity based on the importance the group attributes to a shared trait, attribute, or custom.
-group of people who share a common heritage, history, traditions, customs, language, and even religion.
NATIONALISM- represents cultural and political identity, shared pasts and customs, and shared aspirations.
PATRIOTISM- love, devotion, and defence of one’s country.
Types of Nationalism
LIBERAL NATIONALISM- focuses on the principles of self-determination and the establishment of nation-state.
CONSERVATIVE NATIONALISM- appeals to social cohesion in the spirit of patriotism and national consciousness.
EXPANSIONIST NATIONALISM- characterized by aggressive and militaristic principles combined with notions of
superiority and conquest.
ANTI-COLONIAL NATIONALISM- emerged in developing countries from shared experiences of fighting back against
colonial rule.
Globalization
- refers to the gradual integration of economic, cultural, and political processes that transcend national boundaries.
Dimensions of Globalization
•CULTURAL GLOB.- process where meanings, values, and ideas that have been produced in another country enter the global flow
and get transmitted for general consumption through internet, mass media, and relevant establishments.
•ECONOMIC GLOB.- national economics no longer solely manufacture products for their own population.
•POLITICAL GLOB.- involves founding international organizations that aim to foster international cooperation among states.
Regional and International Organizations
•EUROPEAN UNION- exemplifies successful regional cooperation being an economic and political union composed of 27 member
states.
•ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATION (ASEAN)- established in 1967. 5 founding states: Philippines, Thailand,
Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
•ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)- formed in 1987
•WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO)- created in 1995
•INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND (IMF)- established in 1944
•UNITED NATIONS (UN)- established in June 1945
Main Bodies of United Nations
General Assembly
Security Council
Economic and Social Council
Trusteeship Council
International Court of Justice
Secretariat
