1.
Introduction to Political Science
● Meaning: Political Science is the systematic study of the state and government,
analyzing political systems and behaviors.
● Definition: A social science concerning the theory and practice of politics.
● “Master Science”: Term used by Aristotle, emphasizing that politics influences nearly
every aspect of life (“who gets what”).
● Essence of Politics:
○ Power struggle and authority dynamics.
○ The natural organization of humans into ranks (leaders and followers).
Key Terms:
● Legitimacy: Government's respect from the people.
● Sovereignty: State’s authority and recognition.
● Authority: Leaders' right to command, with an ethical question when involving coercion.
2. Political Theories
● Definition: Political theories are conceptual frameworks developed under specific
economic, social, and political conditions to predict government actions and outcomes.
● Central Questions in Political Theory:
○ Organization of society.
○ Purpose and form of government.
○ Laws and individual freedom.
○ State obligations to citizens.
Theories of Political Power:
● Percolation-up Model: Power flows from citizens to leaders through elections.
● Drip-down Model: Power rests with leaders, but citizens can challenge by electing new
leaders.
Classical Philosophers:
● Plato: Advocated for philosopher-kings as rulers.
● Aristotle: Favored democracy with middle-class rule.
● Machiavelli: Described political power as a tool for order; a realist.
Marxism:
● Economic Theory: Profit is derived from surplus value.
● Social Class Theory: Divides society into working (proletariat) and upper class
(bourgeoisie).
● Historical Theory: Class struggles drive societal evolution, ending in communism.
3. Systems Theory and Modernization Theory
● David Easton’s Systems Model: Examines political systems as interactions among
societal demands and state responses.
● Modernization Theory: Describes stages a society transitions through, from traditional
to modern economies.
○ Marxist Version: Modernization via communism could eliminate inequality.
○ Capitalist Version: Modernization leads to democracy and follows Rostow’s
stages:
1. Traditional Society.
2. Preconditions for Take-off.
3. Take-off.
4. Maturation.
5. Mass Consumption.
● Marxist Modernization: Suggests communism eliminates social inequality as a society
modernizes.
● Capitalist Modernization: Argues economic development and democratization
accompany modernization.
Rostow’s 5 Stages of Development:
1. Traditional Society: Agriculture-based, with limited technology.
2. Pre-Conditions for Take-off: Increased entrepreneurship and infrastructure
development.
3. Take-off: Rapid industrial growth.
4. Maturation: Stabilized, consistent economic growth.
5. Mass Consumption: High income, widespread access to goods.
4. Political Ideologies and States (from uploaded slides)
● Ideologies: Belief systems that propose improvements in society through specific
doctrines.
○ Liberalism: Government stays out of the economy (classic), but may intervene
for social justice (modern).
○ Conservatism: Maintains traditional systems and values.
○ Socialism: Advocates for collective or state ownership of resources.
○ Communism: Calls for classless society via state control over resources.
○ Fascism: Extreme nationalism with an authoritarian approach.
Liberalism:
● Definition: A belief in limiting government intervention, particularly in the economy, and
upholding individual freedoms.
● Examples:
○ Classical Liberalism: Adam Smith’s "laissez-faire" approach.
○ Modern Liberalism: Supports social programs to address economic and social
issues (e.g., welfare policies in the U.S. and U.K.).
Conservatism:
● Definition: Emphasizes maintaining traditional institutions and values, with resistance to
rapid change.
● Example: Conservatism in the U.K. supports the monarchy and established customs.
Socialism:
● Definition: Advocates for collective or state ownership of resources, with an emphasis
on equality.
● Example: Scandinavian countries like Sweden implement welfare programs within a
socialist framework.
Communism:
● Definition: A Marxist ideology aimed at a classless society, where resources are
communally owned and distributed according to need.
● Example: The Soviet Union under Lenin and Maoist China promoted state ownership
and communism.
Fascism:
● Definition: An authoritarian, nationalist ideology that combines elements of socialism
and racism.
● Example: Fascist regimes in Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s Italy emphasized
centralized control, militarism, and national unity.
● Types of States:
○ Effective States: Control and tax entire territories.
○ Weak States: Crime infiltrates politics.
○ Failed States: Lack effective government.
● State Structures:
○ Unitary: Centralized government.
○ Federal: Decentralized power across regions.
Effective States:
● Definition: Nations with strong government control over all regions, enforcing laws and
collecting taxes.
● Example: The United States is considered an effective state with stable governance and
full territorial control.
Weak States:
● Definition: Governments that struggle to control their regions, where crime often
infiltrates politics.
● Example: Somalia and some parts of Nigeria, where local conflicts and crime affect
government authority.
Failed States:
● Definition: States with no effective government control, often facing civil war and high
crime.
● Example: Syria during its civil war, as government structures collapsed and local
warlords took over regions.
Unitary Systems:
● Definition: Political power is centralized in the national government.
● Example: France, where the central government retains authority over regions.
Federal Systems:
● Definition: Power is shared between national and regional governments.
● Example: The United States, where states have considerable autonomy alongside the
federal government.
● Political Economy Systems:
● Laissez-Faire:
○ Definition: Minimal government interference in the economy.
○ Example: The United States historically promoted a laissez-faire approach.
● Welfare State:
○ Definition: Government provides extensive social services to reduce inequality.
○ Example: Sweden and Denmark, known for high social welfare standards.
● Statism:
○ Definition: The government owns major industries and controls economic
planning.
○ Example: Statism in pre-1990 China, where the state owned and managed
production and distribution.
● Socialism:
○ Definition: Combines both government control of key resources and welfare
programs.
○ Example: Soviet Union during the Cold War with extensive government
ownership and welfare.
5. Constitution and Constitutional Government (from uploaded slides)
● Definition: A foundational document that outlines a political system’s structure and laws.
● Types:
○ Written: Explicitly documented structure (e.g., U.S. Constitution).
○ Unwritten: Based on customs and statutes (e.g., U.K.).
● Purpose of a Constitution:
○ Outlines national ideals and structure of government.
○ Limits governmental powers.
○ Establishes legitimacy of the state.
● Rights under Constitutions:
○ Examples include the right to bear arms and freedom of expression in the US.
○ Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties: Rights protect against governmental abuse,
while liberties ensure cultural freedom.
● Constitutionalism:
○ Definition: Principle that the power of the government is limited by law, as
outlined in the constitution.
○ Example: In the U.S., constitutional checks and balances limit each branch of
government’s authority.
● Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties:
○ Civil Rights: Protect individuals against discrimination (e.g., U.S. Civil Rights
Act).
○ Civil Liberties: Protect freedoms from government intrusion (e.g., freedom of
speech in the U.S.).
Practice Questions
1. Explain Aristotle's concept of "the master science" in political science.
Answer: Aristotle viewed politics as "the master science" because it underpins other
sciences by determining who has access to resources and influence. Politics dictates
societal structures and impacts many areas, like economics and law, framing it as central
to societal order.
2. Discuss the difference between legitimacy, sovereignty, and authority.
Answer: Legitimacy is public respect for government; sovereignty is the state's
recognized power, both domestically and internationally; and authority is a leader’s
legitimate power to command. Each concept is essential for stable governance.
3. Define Marx’s concept of surplus value and its impact on his theory of class.
Answer: Surplus value is the difference between what laborers are paid and the value of
their output. For Marx, this "profit" drives class division, placing workers (proletariat)
against capitalists (bourgeoisie) and fueling class struggle leading towards communism.
4. Describe the percolation-up and drip-down models of power. Which model aligns
more closely with democracy?
Answer: The percolation-up model, where citizens elect leaders, aligns closely with
democracy, as power originates with the people. The drip-down model, where leaders
hold authority but may be replaced by citizens, is more hierarchical.
5. Outline Machiavelli’s view on political power and its use.
Answer: Machiavelli saw political power as a practical tool to achieve order, advocating
for rational, sometimes ruthless tactics in governance. Unlike previous thinkers, he
grounded his views in realism rather than idealism or religious doctrines.
6. What are Rostow's stages of development, and how do they relate to
modernization theory?
Answer: Rostow’s stages include traditional society, preconditions for take-off, take-off,
maturity, and mass consumption. They chart a society's transition from agrarian roots to
modern economic structures, exemplifying capitalist modernization.
7. How do constitutional and unitary states differ? Provide examples.
Answer: A constitutional state limits government through a formal or informal
constitution, like the UK, while a unitary state centralizes authority, such as in France,
where the national government holds primary power.
8. Explain the difference between socialism and communism as political ideologies.
Answer: Socialism advocates for collective control of resources, often through state
ownership, focusing on welfare rather than outright control. Communism, derived from
Marxist ideas, seeks a classless society with all property owned communally, without
private wealth or class distinctions.
