politics bab 1

• Political science is the study of politics
• Politics


  The study of the city (state)
• Fundamental questions in political science


  • What is politics?
  • What are its manifestations?
  • How are they transmitted from generation to generation?
• How is politics related to us in Malaysia?
• Politics


  (Classical Greek philosophers) the moral purposes that decision-makers ought to pursue. The polis existed to seek its common good, civic virtue and moral perfection.
• Aristotle's view of politics

  • Saw the highest good as the end sought by political science
  • Importance of political structures - officials were selected for governing the state, the manner in which their authority (power) was determined and the nature of ends or interests pursued
  • Political science = master science - gave knowledge & understanding to who controlled the state
• Robert Dahl's definition of politics


  Any persistent pattern of human relationships (pattern of behaviour) that involves, to a significant extent, power, rule or authority
• David Easton's definition of politics


  A set of human interactions, emphasizing authoritative allocations for an entire society
• Harrod Lasswell's definition of politics


  Who gets what, when and how
• John Redekop's definition of politics

  Activity whose main purpose is to reshape or influence governmental structures or processes; influence or replace governmental office-holders; influence the formation of public policies; influence the implementation of public policies; generate public awareness of, and response to, governmental, processes, personnel and policies; or gain a place of influence or power within government
• Manifestations of politics


  • Political behaviour
  • Political culture
  • Political values
  • Conflicting interests/ Interest groups
  • Levels of government
• Political behaviour


  The psychological and social dimensions of how people respond to society issues and government policies
• Political culture


  A pattern of individual beliefs & attitudes relates to the political system & to political issues
• Types of political culture

  • Participant culture
  • Subject culture
  • Parochial political culture
• Political values


  The value judgement of the people commonly shared if they are satisfied with the government's performance
• Main political values


  • Power
  • Wealth
  • Health
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Justice
• Types of interest groups

  • Associational groups
  • Non-associational groups
  • Institutional groups
  • Anomic groups
• Levels of government


  • Local (municipal)
  • Provincial
  • National
• Local (municipal) government


  Responsible for electricity delivery, water, sewage, sanitation, refuse removal, fire fighting, municipal health, land use, municipal roads, municipal public transport, street trading, abattoirs, fresh food markets, parks, libraries, local tourism
• Provincial government


  Responsible for finance, economic development, tourism, housing, education, health, social development, transport, public works, planning, environment, sport, recreation, art, culture, agriculture, local government, safety, security
• National government


  Deals with issues that concern the whole country, such as defence, foreign affairs, water, forestry, science, technology, trade, industry, mineral, energy, public enterprises, home affairs, public service
• Ways politics is transmitted between generations

  • Family
  • Educational institutions
  • Employment
  • Religious institutions
  • Clubs
  • Political party
  • Mass media
  • Legislature
• Role of family in transmitting politics

  Family is where a child learns attitudes towards authority and develops political views, which are often aligned with the family's political leanings
• Role of educational institutions in transmitting politics

  Schools and universities influence political behaviour and opinions, with higher education generally leading to more open-minded and tolerant political views
• Role of employment in transmitting politics


  Workplaces are a forum for discussing political and socioeconomic issues, which helps shape public opinion
• Role of religious institutions in transmitting politics

  Religious institutions and leaders can significantly influence political views and behaviour, especially during elections
• Role of clubs in transmitting politics

  Clubs provide a space for people of different social classes to discuss political and socioeconomic issues
• Role of political parties in transmitting politics

  Political party offices and leaders disseminate information and shape political views of members and the public
• Role of mass media in transmitting politics

  Mass media, including traditional and social media, is a powerful agent of political socialization, affecting political attitudes and behaviours
• Political theory is the study of politics, concepts, and the historical record of political thought
• Political theory


  A highly personal vision of an individual of the political reality which the his/her theory seeks to offer an explanation
• Political theorists give significance and meaning to mass of data, suggest solutions to solve problems, guide decision makers in formulate and enforce good public policy
• Politics affects people's lives in many ways, so it is important to understand politics