FUNDAMENTAL

• Fields of Political Science


  • Study, speculations, theorizing about state, its origin, nature, purposes and problems
  • Undergoes revision as new world problems arise
• Political Theory or Philosophy


  Branch of political science which deals with the study of the state through a systematic body of principle relating to the origin, form, behavior, and purposes of the state
• Public Law


  Constitutional and legal principles or rules governing sovereign state, government and individuals in their relationship with one another
• International Relations, International Law, and International Organizations


  Focus on this field of political science involves inquiries into the foreign policy of nation states in their mutual relationships
• Government


  Distinct branch of study dealing with the government set-up of a state on both national and local levels. Covers the state constitution, laws, citizenship, structures of the various levels of government
• Comparative Government


  More relevant to the contemporary times with the emergence of newly independent states. Uses descriptive, analytical, or sociological method in seeking the similarities and differences among states
• Public Administration


  Brings forth a fountain of knowledge on the techniques and methods of managing and administering government in the phases of administrative organization
• Political Dynamics (Political Parties, Public Opinion, and Propaganda, Pressure and Interest Groups)


  States in political science which are concerned with the interplay of different societal forces that influence political decisions and action
• Legislation and Legislature


  It brings into the making laws, Legislation is an artificial process, and as separate course. It can expanded to describe to a clear view of what legislature is, its structures, and organization
• Government and Business


  Consider it as one of the subdivisions of political science to give emphasis to government. Also called "Modern Political Economy" which treats of certain subjects like: Welfare states, the budget, fiscal management, Government regulation of business, etc.
• Famous Philosophers


  • Aristotle
  • Niccolo Machiavelli
  • Jean Bodin
  • Robert Dahl
  • Socrates
  • Plato
• State


  A community of persons more or less numerous occupying a definite position of territory completely free external control and possessing an organized government to which a great body of inhabitants render habitual obedience
• Elements of State


  • People
  • Territory
  • Government
  • Sovereignty
• People


  Refers to the inhabitants of the state, the mass of population living within the state. No legal requirement as to the number of people. But it should be neither too small nor too large
• Territory


  Fixed portion on the surface of the earth inhabited by the people of the state. Components: Terrestrial Domain (land mass), Fluvial & Maritime Domain (inland or external waters), Aerial Domain (air space). It must be neither too big as to be difficult to administer, too small as to be unable to provide for the need of the population
• Government


  Instrument that provides mechanism in determining, formulating, and implementing the policies of the state. Refers to the agency or instrumentality through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and realized
• Sovereignty


  The supreme and uncontrollable power inherent in a state. Manifested in Internal Sovereignty (power of the state to rule within its territory) and External Sovereignty (freedom of the state to carry out its activities without subjection or control by other states)
• Recognition


  Acknowledge and Acceptance. International Recognition - state by other state. Legal Sovereignty - Possession of unlimited power to make laws. Political Sovereignty - Total of all the influences in a state which lie behind the law
• Characteristics of Sovereignty


  • Permanence
  • Exclusivity
  • Comprehensiveness
  • Absoluteness
  • Individuality
  • Inalienability
  • Imprescibility
• Divine Right Theory


  Considered as the oldest of the seven theories stated. Presents the view that the state was created by God. To challenge the ruler was to challenge the God's authority
• Social Contract Theory


  Explained that the state was formed by means of a social contract of men who lived in a state of nature
• Thomas Hobbes


  Absolute monarchy, no contract or covenant between the ruler and the subjects, the sovereign has no obligation to his subjects, man is a state of nature is despicable, nasty and brutish
• John Locke


  Parliamentary democracy, men were not rational beings and could make use of natural law for their own good, asserted that men should retain their natural rights in civil society and that political powers or sovereignty should not be assigned to be monarch
• Jean Jacques Rousseau


  "General will", viewed the state as completely and directly democratic
• Monarchy


  Form of government in which total sovereignty is interested in one person, Head of the state called "monarch," who holds the position through the right of hereditary succession
• Titles of Monarchy


  • Males Monarch - kings
  • Females Monarch - queen
  • Principalities - princesses and princes rule by hereditary right
  • Empires - led by emperors and empresses
• Remaining Countries that uses Monarchy


  • Polynesia: Tonga
  • Africa: Eswatin, Lesotho, Morocco
  • Europe: Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, U.N, Vatican City, Britain & Northern Ireland
  • Asia: Bahrain, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E
• Hereditary Monarchy


  Title is handed through bloodlines
• Elective Monarchs


  Title is passed down to an elected official by a small elite group
• Absolute Monarchy


  The power of the monarch are absolute, their word is law, and their people have no say
• Constitutional Monarchy


  Implied constitution and central government body like a parliament
• Monarchies Run with Absolute


  • Brunei, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Eswatini, Oman, Vatican City
• Dictatorship


  Possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations
• Roman Republic


  Designated temporary magistrate who was granted extraordinary powers in order to deal with state crises
• Modern Dictators


  Resemble ancient tyrants rather than ancient dictators, dictators usually resort to force or fraud to gain despotic political power
• Military Dictatorship


  Military officers hold power, determine who will lead the country, and exercise influence over policy. Average of military dictatorship is only five years, prominence of military dictatorships declined in the 1970's and 1980's
• Democracy


  Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system
• Direct Democracy


  Laws are made directly by the voting majority
• Representative Democracy


  People elect representatives to handle the issues for them
• Characteristics of Democracy


  • Running the government is based on the people's will and interests
  • Government applies constitutional characteristics related to the interests, will or power of the people written in the constitution and laws of the country