PoliSci Chapter 1

1. What sorts of questions are political scientists interested in researching? Political scientists want to identify patterns within the political system. This can mean researching certain behaviors of politicians and voters or figuring out why we do those things. Another question a political scientist would research is how certain systems of our political system should be. 2. What is a government? Of what is a government composed? Government is system that creates rules for a society. It’s composed of rulers/leaders and the rest of society. It is also composed of a range of laws, regulations, procedures, etc. that vary between each nation. 3. What is a state? The authors of the textbook describe the state as a term for a complex government system like the US in which public authority comes mainly from the states, not federal government. 4. What are the differences between an autocracy, an oligarchy, and a democracy? In an autocracy, there is one ruler. In an oligarchy, the government is run by a small group of powerful individuals. In democracy, the people of the nation have more political power over decision making. 5. What are constitutional governments? How do such governments differ from authoritarian governments? How do such governments differ from totalitarian governments? A constitutional government is one that has many strict rules surrounding how much the government can interfere with society. In an authoritarian government, the government is checked by other groups, but still has a lot of power over its people. Totalitarian governments have total control over their nation and silence those that oppose their authority. 6. What is politics? How does the author of the book define politics? The author describes politics as a conflict between any group or organization. More specifically conflicts over leadership, structure, and policies. 7. What are the different forms that politics takes? What are the different aims of people who get into politics? Ways to participate in politics can include voting, running for office, campaigning or lobbying, talking to people about politics, protesting, etc. Some aim to dethrone old politicians or influence current leaders, or to gain power. 8. According to the book, what are the five principles of politics? All political behavior has a purpose, institutions structure politics, all politics is collective action, political outcomes are the products of individual preferences, institutional procedures, and collective action, how we got here matters. 9. What is instrumental behavior? Give some examples of instrumental behavior. Instrumental behavior is a carefully thought out decision that is made in order to gain the person higher political power or maintain their image. For example, a congressperson might vote a certain way just to keep their constituents on their side, not necessarily because they agree. 10. What are institutions, and what purpose do they serve? The authors describe an institution as, “rules and procedures,” that incentivise a group/nation to act a certain way in politics. Their purpose is to shape politics. 11. How do institutions affect the behavior of politicians? Institutions create advantages and disadvantages for politicians that dictate how they must act in order to remain powerful. 12. The following are critical features of institutions. Define each concept and explain how they are tied to institutions: a. Jurisdiction refers to each section of government and who decides what. It breaks all issues into categories and those most qualified work on it. In institutions, it’s important to create clear rules for making decisions. With jurisdiction decided, it’s easier to make decisions for the institution. b. Agenda Power is the power to decide what is important enough to be talked about/worked through in an institution. Those with agenda power affect the institution with their discretion. c. Veto Power is the power to reject something within an institutional agenda after it has been passed. This impacts an institution by allowing one person/or group to change a rule or law that has already been agreed upon. d. Decisiveness rules create boundaries around voting procedures in an institution. They can limit a group’s power or give another group power by allowing them to adjourn and not vote.