Introduction to Political Science
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School
University of California, Berkeley *
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Course
MISC
Subject
Political Science
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
3
Uploaded by Major_Energy_Mole17
1.
What is political science, and how does it differ from other social sciences?
2.
Define the concepts of power, authority, and legitimacy in political science. Provide examples of each.
3.
Compare and contrast the three main forms of government: democracy, autocracy, and oligarchy. Discuss the characteristics and principles of each.
4.
Explain the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each form of democracy?
5.
Define political ideology and discuss the major ideologies in modern politics, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and fascism. What are the key principles and goals of each ideology?
6.
Describe the structure and functions of government in a parliamentary system and a presidential system. How do these systems differ in terms of executive-legislative relations?
7.
Discuss the concept of political participation and the various forms it can take in a democracy. What factors influence political participation rates?
8.
Define the term "political culture" and explain how it influences the political behavior and attitudes of citizens in a society. Provide examples of different types of political cultures.
9.
What are interest groups, and what role do they play in the political process? Compare and contrast interest groups with political parties.
10. Explain the concept of globalization and its impact on politics and governance. How does globalization affect sovereignty, international relations, and the role of nation-
states?
Answers:
1.
Political science is the systematic study of government, politics, and political behavior. It differs from other social sciences in its focus on power relations, institutions, and public policy, as well as its emphasis on understanding the processes and structures of political
systems.
2.
Power refers to the ability to influence or control the behavior of others, while authority is
the legitimate right to exercise power. Legitimacy refers to the acceptance and recognition of authority by individuals and institutions. Examples include the power of a government to pass and enforce laws, the authority of a judge to interpret and apply laws, and the legitimacy of a democratic election.
3.
Democracy is a form of government where power is vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives. Autocracy is a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or ruling elite. Oligarchy is a form of government where power is held by a small group of individuals or families.
4.
Direct democracy involves citizens directly participating in decision-making processes, such as through town hall meetings or referendums. Representative democracy involves
citizens electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf, such as members of parliament or congress. Advantages of direct democracy include increased citizen participation and accountability, while disadvantages include potential for majority tyranny and logistical challenges. Advantages of representative democracy include efficiency and expertise, while disadvantages include potential for elite capture and disconnect between representatives and constituents.
5.
Political ideology refers to a set of beliefs and values about the role of government, society, and individuals in politics. Liberalism emphasizes individual rights, equality, and government intervention to promote social welfare. Conservatism emphasizes tradition, limited government, and free market principles. Socialism emphasizes social equality, collective ownership, and government intervention in the economy. Fascism emphasizes
authoritarianism, nationalism, and totalitarian control.
6.
In a parliamentary system, the executive branch is fused with the legislative branch, with
the head of government (prime minister) typically elected from the majority party or coalition in parliament. In a presidential system, the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch, with the president elected separately from the legislature and serving as both head of state and head of government. Parliamentary systems typically feature a closer relationship between the executive and legislative branches, while presidential systems feature a separation of powers and checks and balances.
7.
Political participation refers to the ways in which individuals engage in the political process, such as voting, attending rallies, contacting elected officials, or joining interest groups. Factors influencing political participation rates include socioeconomic status, education level, age, gender, and political efficacy.
8.
Political culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, attitudes, and norms about politics and government in a society. Types of political culture include traditional, modern, and postmodern. Traditional political cultures emphasize authority, hierarchy, and stability, while modern political cultures emphasize democracy, equality, and individual rights. Postmodern political cultures emphasize diversity, pluralism, and skepticism towards traditional institutions.
9.
Interest groups are organizations that seek to influence government policy and decisions
on behalf of specific interests or constituencies. They engage in activities such as
lobbying, advocacy, and mobilization of public opinion. Interest groups differ from political parties in that they focus on specific issues or causes rather than seeking to govern or represent the entire electorate.
10. Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of economies, societies, and cultures around the world. It has led to greater flows of goods,
services, capital, information, and people across national borders. Globalization has challenged the sovereignty of nation-states by weakening their ability to control flows of goods, capital, and information. It has also reshaped international relations by creating new actors and power dynamics, such as multinational corporations and international organizations. Additionally, globalization has raised concerns about inequality, cultural homogenization, and environmental degradation.
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