Scope and Methods of Political Science

Scope and Methods of Political Science

Politics and PowerPolitics and Power

Le Moyne College

IntroductionIntroduction

What is the nature of politics?What is the nature of politics? Where do we find politics?Where do we find politics? Who “does” politics?Who “does” politics? What is the purpose of politics?What is the purpose of politics?

definitions of politicsdefinitions of politics

Different definitions of politicsDifferent definitions of politics Government institutionsGovernment institutions Power, Authority, ConflictPower, Authority, Conflict David Easton--”Authoritative Allocation of David Easton--”Authoritative Allocation of

Values for Society:Values for Society: Robert Dahl--”Who gets what when, why, and Robert Dahl--”Who gets what when, why, and

how”how”

What do you think about this?What do you think about this?

Without scarcity, there would be no politicsWithout scarcity, there would be no politics Understanding this gives us insight into the Understanding this gives us insight into the

political processpolitical process

Or this...Or this...

Politics is the process which determinesPolitics is the process which determines who gets whatwho gets what who payswho pays

Where is politics?Where is politics?

Where do we find politics under this Where do we find politics under this definition?definition? governmentgovernment non-governmentalnon-governmental bureaucraticbureaucratic global, goods/advantages/resourcesglobal, goods/advantages/resources