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Political Science
University
Introduction to the Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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What you need to know
Read the full theory →Definition, object, and approaches of Political Science
- Definition: A social science that studies political theory, practice, and behaviors.
- Differentiation: It is distinguished from political philosophy, although it shares areas such as the history of ideas.
- Broad sense: Includes all studies and philosophers of politics since Antiquity.
- Strict sense: Positive political science based on behaviorism and scientific observation.
- Power: The capacity of an actor to influence others in any human interaction with conflicting interests.
- Object of study: The political system (must be exhaustive, inclusive, and have empirical references).
- Easton's approach: Political life is a system of conduct/behavior in relation to the environment (State, parties, etc.).
- Calva Nagua's approach: Scientific study of governments, the state apparatus, and the pursuit of power.
- Gómez-Pineda's approach: Study of the organization, distribution, and conservation of power.
- Caminal's approach: Divides the study into polity (structure), politics (process), and policy (outcome).
Historical evolution and foundations of Political Science
- Ancient India: Political reflections in the Rig-veda and the Pali Canon.
- Chanakia Pandit: Author of the Artha-shastra and precursor of political/economic thought.
- Aristotle: Considered the father of Political Science for his use of empirical evidence.
- Machiavelli: Considered the father of Modern Political Science for the separation of morality and politics.
- Ibn Khaldun: Anticipated concepts of modern social sciences in the Islamic world.
- Birth of Political Science: Linked to the transition from the liberal to the democratic State.
- 1872: Emile Boutmy founded the École libre des Sciences Politiques.
- 1880: Herbert Baxter Adams used the term "political science."
- Paul Janet: Proposed the term in his work on the relationship between political science and morality.
- 1870-1950: Period of delimitation of the discipline's object of study.
- Key authors of global analysis: Tocqueville, Marx, Pareto, Mosca, and Weber.
History, dissemination, and fields of study of Political Science
- Key authors: Schmitt, Bobbio, Strauss, Dahl, Almond, Duverger, Arendt, Easton, Lasswell, Huntington, Linz, Lijphart, Verba, Rokkan, Nohlen, Pasquino, Sartori, and O'Donnell.
- First Professor of Political Science at Columbia: Francis Lieber (1857).
- First School of Political Science: Columbia University (1880).
- American Political Science Association: founded in 1903.
- Behavioral revolution (1950-1960): emphasis on individual/group behavior and the scientific method.
- Perestroika Movement (2000): reaction against mathematization; defends methodological plurality.
- Dominance of English in publications (2016-2021): 69% of titles.
- Concentration of journals: countries with 5.4% of the population produce 70.1% of journals in Scopus.
- Limited access in BRICS: less than 1% of OCLC WorldCat works.
- Fields of study: Power, authority, State, public administration, political economy, public policy, political behavior, public opinion, international relations, electoral and party systems.
Foundations, methods, and applications of Political Science
- Key paradigms: Behaviorism, Rational Choice, Structuralism, Feminism, Functionalism, Institutionalism, Marxism, Neo-institutionalism, Game Theory, Systems Theory, Structural-Functionalism, Normative Theory, Neoliberalism, Elitism, and Pluralism.
- Sartori's methods (order of control): experimental, quantitative, comparative, and historical.
- Lijphart's methods: experimental, quantitative, comparative, and case study analysis.
- Relationship with Economics: Political Economy (power) and Economic Policy (application).
- Relationship with Legal Sciences: Political, constitutional, administrative, fiscal, public accounting, municipal, and international law.
- Relationship with Communication: Political journalism, culturalist approach, and public relations (lobbying/campaigns).
- Relationship with Sports: Multi-level power analysis, ethics, social policy, and sports management.
- Professional applications: SWOT analysis, international security, political marketing, public management, and institutional relations.
- Celebration dates (Political Scientist Day): March 20 (Paraguay), June 22 (Colombia), September 29 (Chile), November 29 (Argentina), and December 8 (Peru).
Flashcard preview (6 of 20)
- 01
According to Norberto Bobbio, which current gave rise to contemporary political science in the strict sense?
The behavioralist current.
- 02
In Bobbio's strict sense, what term does political science use that differs from political philosophy?
Positive political science.
- 03
According to Miquel Caminal's definition, what does the category 'politics' represent?
The political process (actors and political behavior).
- 04
Who coined the concept of political system, defining political life as a system of conduct?
David Easton.
- 05
For the 'political system' to be an object of political science, what requirement must it meet regarding political philosophy?
Having empirical references.
- 06
Who is referred to as the 'Hindu Machiavelli'?
Chanakia Pandit
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