Political Science Flashcards
(23 cards)
Political Science
Study of polis
Study of state, government, and politics
Aristotle
Father of political science
Work: Politics
Compared different political systems
Jean Bodin
Coined the term political science
Theory of sovereignty
Solon
Equal opportunities/rights
First constitution
Athenian democracy
Plato
Work: The Republic
Concept of philosopher-king
Niccolò Machiavelli
Work: The Prince
Father of political theory
Order vs power vs justice
Order - primary thrust of politics, bureaucracy
Power - getting others to comply, authority
Justice - interest of the people and not just the few who rule
Police power
Public safety
Regulate behavior and enforce order
Power of Eminent Domain
Private land usage
Expropriation Rights - specific term
Just compensation
Power of taxation
Revenue
Impose charges or levies
Ideology
System of beliefs about how society should function, behave, and operate
Basis for organized political action
Conservatism
Hates change
Keep the system the same
Traditional family values
Religious values
Rule of law
Liberalism
Want changes
Progressivist
Freedom from excessive government interferences
Own choices
Values individual rights and rule of law
Advocates personal freedom
Socialism
Equal distribution, classless society
Has a leader
Communal ownership
Against violation of human rights
Supports personal and choice of freedom
Ex. Early years of Soviet Union
Fascism
Supports totalitarianism
Led by dictator
Suppress opposition
Values traditional family structure
Ex. Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany
Elements of state
People
Government
Territory
Sovereignty
Monarchy vs aristocracy vs democracy
Monarchy - one person, king/queen
Aristocracy - few nobles/the best, elite group, hereditary nobility
Democracy - rule of many, majority of people
Absolute vs limited/constitutional monarchy
Absolute - total control, Ex. Saudi Arabia
Limited/constitutional - monarch as head of state, power is limited by constitution, United Kingdom (Queen Elizabeth II)
Aristocracy vs oligarchy
Aristocracy - elite group, noble families, Ex. House of Lords in UK
Oligarchy - few rich/wealthy, Ex. Russia in post-Soviet era
Direct vs indirect democracy
Direct - people govern directly, Ex. Switzerland
Indirect/representative - republican, elect representatives, United States
Unitary vs federal government
Unitary - central government - makes decisions, local government - implements them
Federal - divided between central and local government, Ex. BARMM
Parliamentary vs presidential government
Parliamentary - legislative and executive are intertwined, easily create and pass laws, Ex. UK
Presidential - clear separation of powers, president cannot create laws, Ex. Philippines
Theocracy
Frailocracy
Religious leaders, religious laws, divine power
Ex. Philippines during Spanish period, Iran
