Methods of Analysis Flashcards
Why can’t you use media/news to study politics?
- Biased
- Reductionist - descriptive rather than analytical
What is ontology, in regards to the study of politics?
Refers to the underlying beliefs about what political reality consists of.
e.g. - is politics driven by material things or ideas?
How are ontological ideas broken up?
Objective/foundationalist vs. subjective/anti-foundationalist
What is epistemology, in regards to the study of politics?
Asks:
* What can we know
* How do we know it
* What makes knowledge reliable
What would a foundationalist observatist say?
An objective reality exists, and I can observe it.
What would an anti-foundationalist observist say?
There is no objective reality, but I can observe how it is constructed.
What would a foundationalist interpretist say?
An objective reality exists, but I cannot directly observe it.
What would an anti-foundationalist interpretist say?
There is no objective reality, and its construction is subjective.
What does normative mean, in the study of politics?
The realm of values/ethics. How political reality should be.
What are the three political science approaches?
- Rational choice
- Institutionalism
- Constructivism
What does an institutionalist focus on?
Formal rules and organisations.
What do institutionalists subscribe to?
- Structuralism (structures determine political behaviour)
- Legalism (law has a major role in governance)
- Holistic approach (comparing whole systems of gov.)
- Historicism (history as central to analysis)
- Functionalism (institutions are present ∵ they help pol. systems work)
Where do institutionalists think analytical efforts should be placed?
On constitutions and institutions.
Where do pluralists think analytical effort should be placed?
On groups and bargaining between groups.
Where do elitists think analytical efforts should be placed?
Elites and power.
What do pluralists believe?
Informal processes and dynamics between groups are most important to understanding politics.
How are pluralists split?
- Classical pluralism
- Policy networks
- Neo-pluralism
How do classical pluralists view the state?
It’s the location of group conflict.
How do policy networks view the state?
Location of multiple players with varying access.
How do neo-pluralists view the state?
Biased towards certain interests (often business)
How do classical pluralists view the nature of groups?
Groups are easily formed with open competition.
How do policy networks view the nature of groups?
Insiders group have access, outsider groups do not.
How do neo-pluralists view the nature of groups?
Business is the most important group and is central to economic/social welfare.
How do classical pluralists understand power?
Power is dispersed and responsive to the public.
