Module 2: How do we analyze political phenomena?

• Political Science


  The systematic study of governance and policies, political culture and activities, power relations and ideologies
• Political Science


  • Adopts the methodology of the natural sciences in its analyses
  • Positivist scholars argue that this makes political science produce value-free, objective explanations of social and political phenomena
• Social sciences


  Begin from everyday stories, narratives, accounts, and exchanges, using these as the raw material for social science, but then go beyond the everyday life accounts
• Concept


  A word or phrase used to convey a general idea in aid of its exploration, understanding, and analysis
• Model


  Serves as an analytical framework showing the relationships and interactions among different concepts and data
• Theory


  A systematic explanation of empirical data covering a broader scope than a model and usually presented as reliable knowledge
• David Easton's Political System


  A model for understanding political culture and policymaking. It shows how the interactions between political actors (citizens or groups) and institutions result in the formulation and execution of policies
• Easton's model is an application of system's thinking which focuses on how a system's parts function and affect each other, which enables the whole system to function
• Easton's recommendation was to simplify the analysis by treating the topics as isolated, self-contained systems with only a set number of variables
• Easton's Political System model


  1. Changes in the environment affect the actors prompting the generation of demands addressed to the government

  2. The government filters the numerous demands it receives

  3. Demands must be driven by supporting factors to gain significance and legitimacy for government action

  4. Support may come in the form of the citizen's tax payment, obedience to laws, and participation in government-led activities

  5. Decisions are made in the form of policies for enforcement and feedback from the public
• The Easton's Political System framework operates in a cyclical manner, much like a circuit
• Model: A theoretical representation of empirical data that aims to advance understanding by highlighting significant relationships and interactions.
• Theory: A systematic explanation of empirical data, usually (unlike a hypothesis) presented as reliable knowledge.
• A paradigm is, in a general sense, a pattern or model that highlights relevant features of a particular phenomenon.
• Models: systems analysis, public choice, game theory.
• Concepts: power, social class, rights, law.
• Paradigms: liberalism, Marxism, feminism.
• Political Science is the systematic study of governance and policies, political culture and activities, power relations and ideologies.
• Politics is therefore not concerned by the locus or site of its operation rather by its nature as a process; it isn't defined by where it happens, but by what it does. Thus, if a group of friends are discussing where to go for dinner and they start debating and making decisions, that's a form of it.
• Normative approach or philosophical tradition: What should be?
• Empirical tradition: What is?
• Scientific tradition: Positivism and behaviorism.
• 2 primary goals of politics: description and prescription.
• Ideological tradition/paradigm: Ideal type or worldview.
• Theory: A systematic explanation of empirical data covering a

  broader scope than a model; it's a big idea that explains a lot of different things we observe in the world.
• Model: An analytical framework showing the relationships and interactions among different concepts and data. It is like a map that helps us understand how different things are connected and interact with each other, helping us see the big picture of how they all fit together.
• Concept: A word or phrase that conveys a general idea in aid

  of its exploration, understanding, and analysis.
• Environment: refers to the physical or social environment where

  the system is located.
• 2 types of demand: External and internal.
• 3 Domains of Support 1.Political Community

  2.Regime

  3.Government
• Politicization: steady manufacturing of support as society

  continues to mature and gain a common orientation on what is

  expected politically. It is gradual shift towards greater political engagement and understanding.