Political Science 101 POLS: Introduction to Political Science - What is Political Science Definition Subfields Political Theory Comparative Politics International Relations American Politics Public Policy Political Methodology

1. What This Is & Why It Matters

What is Political Science?

Political science is the systematic study of governments, politics, and policies. It examines the institutions, processes, and behavior of governments, as well as the interactions between governments and citizens, interest groups, and other actors.

Why It Matters

Understanding political science is crucial for explaining and predicting the behavior of governments, the impact of policies on citizens, and the dynamics of international relations. Without a grasp of political science, you can't explain why some democracies collapse, why authoritarian regimes persist, or why international institutions fail to prevent conflicts.

Real-World Scenario

Consider the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments worldwide responded with varying degrees of effectiveness, from lockdowns to vaccination campaigns. A political scientist would analyze the policies, institutions, and interests that shaped these responses, using theories from comparative politics, international relations, and public policy to explain the outcomes.

2. Essential Thinkers, Concepts & Models

• *Plato*: A Greek philosopher who argued that the ideal society is a just and harmonious one, ruled by philosopher-kings. His ideas still influence debates about the role of elites in democracy.
• *John Locke*: An English philosopher who argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property. His ideas underpin the Declaration of Independence.
• *Max Weber*: A German sociologist who developed the concept of the "iron cage" of bureaucracy, which describes the ways in which institutions can become rigid and inflexible. His ideas still influence debates about the role of bureaucracy in modern societies.
• *Game Theory*: A mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making, which has been used to explain everything from nuclear deterrence to international trade agreements.
• *Rational Choice Theory*: A theoretical framework that assumes individuals make decisions based on rational calculations of costs and benefits, which has been used to explain everything from voting behavior to public policy outcomes.
• *Comparative Politics*: A subfield of political science that compares the institutions, processes, and policies of different countries, which helps us understand the causes and consequences of political phenomena.
• *International Relations*: A subfield of political science that studies the interactions between states, international organizations, and other actors, which helps us understand the causes and consequences of global conflicts and cooperation.
• *Public Policy*: A subfield of political science that studies the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, which helps us understand the impact of policies on citizens and society.
• *Political Methodology*: A subfield of political science that develops and applies statistical and quantitative methods to analyze political phenomena, which helps us test hypotheses and make predictions about political behavior.

3. Step-by-Step ‘Political Analysis’

1. Define the research question: Clearly articulate the question or problem you want to investigate, using concepts and theories from political science.
2. Gather data: Collect relevant data from primary and secondary sources, using methods such as surveys, experiments, or content analysis.
3. Compare cases: Identify relevant cases or examples that can help you test your hypotheses or theories, using methods such as case studies or comparative analysis.
4. Test a hypothesis: Use statistical or quantitative methods to test your hypotheses or theories, using data from your case studies or comparative analysis.
5. Draw conclusions: Based on your findings, draw conclusions about the causes and consequences of the phenomenon you're investigating, using concepts and theories from political science.

4. Common Student Mistakes

• Misconception: "Pluralism is the same as elitism."
• The right view: Pluralism refers to the idea that power is dispersed among multiple groups and institutions, while elitism refers to the idea that power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups. Pluralism is often associated with democratic theory, while elitism is often associated with authoritarianism.
• Misconception: "Comparative politics is just a fancy way of saying 'comparing countries'."
• The right view: Comparative politics is a subfield of political science that uses systematic comparison to identify patterns and trends across countries, using methods such as case studies, comparative analysis, and statistical analysis.
• Misconception: "Game theory is just a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making."
• The right view: Game theory is a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making, but it also has implications for our understanding of human behavior and decision-making, and can be used to explain a wide range of phenomena, from nuclear deterrence to international trade agreements.

5. Exam/Essay Tips

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs): Pay close attention to the language and context of the question, and use your knowledge of concepts and theories to eliminate incorrect answers.
• Free Response Questions (FRQs): Use your knowledge of concepts and theories to develop a clear and well-supported argument, and be sure to address all parts of the question.
• Document-Based Questions (DBQs): Use your knowledge of concepts and theories to analyze the documents and develop a clear and well-supported argument.
• Trap Distinctions: Be careful to distinguish between related but distinct concepts, such as pluralism and elitism, or dual federalism and cooperative federalism.

6. Quick Practice Scenario

Scenario: A president deploys troops without Congressional approval, citing national security concerns. Which constitutional principle is at stake?

Answer: The principle of separation of powers is at stake, as the president is exercising executive power without consulting the legislative branch.

7. Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Thinkers:
• Plato: argued that the ideal society is a just and harmonious one, ruled by philosopher-kings.
• John Locke: argued that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed and that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.
• Max Weber: developed the concept of the "iron cage" of bureaucracy.
• Key Terms:
• Pluralism: the idea that power is dispersed among multiple groups and institutions.
• Elitism: the idea that power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups.
• Comparative Politics: a subfield of political science that compares the institutions, processes, and policies of different countries.
• Constitutional Clauses:
• Article I, Section 8: grants Congress the power to declare war and regulate commerce.
• Article II, Section 2: grants the president the power to negotiate treaties and appoint ambassadors.
• Supreme Court Cases:
• Marbury v. Madison (1803): established the principle of judicial review.
• Brown v. Board of Education (1954): declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
• Formulas:
• Game Theory: a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making.
• Rational Choice Theory: a theoretical framework that assumes individuals make decisions based on rational calculations of costs and benefits.

8. Further Study Resources

• Textbooks:
• American Government: Stories of a Nation by David M. Kennedy, Lizabeth Cohen, and Thomas A. Bailey
• Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy by David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light, and Christine L. Nemacheck
• Khan Academy Units:
• Introduction to Government and Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• YouTube Channels:
• Crash Course Government
• CGP Grey
• PBS Idea Channel