🎓 Bachelor of Political Science
🟢 YEAR 1 – FOUNDATION YEAR
📘 Semester 1
,Introduction to Political Science
Political Science is the systematic study of governance, power, and political behavior. It
moves beyond simply following the news, applying rigorous theoretical frameworks and
empirical methods to understand how societies organize themselves and resolve conflict.
1. Core Subfields
Political Science is typically divided into four or five primary branches:
● Political Theory: The study of fundamental questions regarding justice, rights, and
the role of the state. It involves analyzing historical thinkers like Plato and
Machiavelli, as well as modern ethics.
● Comparative Politics: The study of domestic politics, institutions, and processes
across different countries (e.g., comparing the healthcare systems of Canada and the
UK).
● International Relations (IR): Focuses on how states, international organizations,
and non-state actors interact globally. Key topics include war, trade, and diplomacy.
● American Politics (or Country-Specific): In many curricula, the domestic politics of
the home country is treated as its own subfield, focusing on legislative behavior,
elections, and public policy.
● Methodology: The "science" part of the field. This involves learning qualitative and
quantitative tools—like statistics and game theory—to test political hypotheses.
2. Key Concepts & Definitions
To navigate this course, you must master several foundational terms:
Term Definition
Power The ability of Person A to get Person B to do something they would not
otherwise do.
Authority The recognized, legitimate right to exercise power.
The State A human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of
physical force within a given territory (Max Weber’s definition).
Sovereignt The supreme and independent power of a state to govern itself.
y
, Ideology A set of beliefs about the proper role of government and the distribution of
resources.
Export to Sheets
3. Major Political Ideologies
Understanding these frameworks helps explain why different governments make the choices
they do:
● Liberalism: Emphasizes individual liberty, the rule of law, and limited government
intervention.
● Conservatism: Prioritizes social stability, tradition, and established institutions.
● Socialism: Focuses on social ownership and the reduction of economic inequality
through state action.
● Fascism: A far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power
and the forcible suppression of opposition.
4. Systems of Government
Governments are often categorized by how they distribute power between the executive and
legislative branches:
Presidential Systems
The executive (President) is elected separately from the legislature. This creates a system of
"checks and balances" where the two branches are independent.
Parliamentary Systems
The executive (Prime Minister) is a member of the legislature and is chosen by the majority
party. This usually leads to more efficient lawmaking but less separation of powers.
Unitary vs. Federal Systems
● Unitary: Central government holds all primary power (e.g., France).
● Federal: Power is constitutionally divided between central and regional governments
(e.g., USA, Germany).
5. How to Succeed in This Course
🟢 YEAR 1 – FOUNDATION YEAR
📘 Semester 1
,Introduction to Political Science
Political Science is the systematic study of governance, power, and political behavior. It
moves beyond simply following the news, applying rigorous theoretical frameworks and
empirical methods to understand how societies organize themselves and resolve conflict.
1. Core Subfields
Political Science is typically divided into four or five primary branches:
● Political Theory: The study of fundamental questions regarding justice, rights, and
the role of the state. It involves analyzing historical thinkers like Plato and
Machiavelli, as well as modern ethics.
● Comparative Politics: The study of domestic politics, institutions, and processes
across different countries (e.g., comparing the healthcare systems of Canada and the
UK).
● International Relations (IR): Focuses on how states, international organizations,
and non-state actors interact globally. Key topics include war, trade, and diplomacy.
● American Politics (or Country-Specific): In many curricula, the domestic politics of
the home country is treated as its own subfield, focusing on legislative behavior,
elections, and public policy.
● Methodology: The "science" part of the field. This involves learning qualitative and
quantitative tools—like statistics and game theory—to test political hypotheses.
2. Key Concepts & Definitions
To navigate this course, you must master several foundational terms:
Term Definition
Power The ability of Person A to get Person B to do something they would not
otherwise do.
Authority The recognized, legitimate right to exercise power.
The State A human community that claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of
physical force within a given territory (Max Weber’s definition).
Sovereignt The supreme and independent power of a state to govern itself.
y
, Ideology A set of beliefs about the proper role of government and the distribution of
resources.
Export to Sheets
3. Major Political Ideologies
Understanding these frameworks helps explain why different governments make the choices
they do:
● Liberalism: Emphasizes individual liberty, the rule of law, and limited government
intervention.
● Conservatism: Prioritizes social stability, tradition, and established institutions.
● Socialism: Focuses on social ownership and the reduction of economic inequality
through state action.
● Fascism: A far-right, authoritarian ultranationalism characterized by dictatorial power
and the forcible suppression of opposition.
4. Systems of Government
Governments are often categorized by how they distribute power between the executive and
legislative branches:
Presidential Systems
The executive (President) is elected separately from the legislature. This creates a system of
"checks and balances" where the two branches are independent.
Parliamentary Systems
The executive (Prime Minister) is a member of the legislature and is chosen by the majority
party. This usually leads to more efficient lawmaking but less separation of powers.
Unitary vs. Federal Systems
● Unitary: Central government holds all primary power (e.g., France).
● Federal: Power is constitutionally divided between central and regional governments
(e.g., USA, Germany).
5. How to Succeed in This Course
