Introduction To Political Science

Question 1

What is one of the most contentious concepts in social sciences?

Answer 1

Politics

Politics is often misused and misconceived, especially in the developing world.

Question 2

What negative associations does the concept of politics have in developing countries?

Answer 2

Negative, bad, and unethical

This includes associations with political corruption, bribery, and violence.

Question 3

Who traced the misconception of politics to dubious practices of politicians in Nigeria?

Answer 3

Godwin Unanka

Unanka noted the link between negative perceptions and unfulfilled political promises.

Question 4

What does Aristotle’s dictum ‘Man is a political animal’ imply?

Answer 4

Humans are inherently social and political beings

Aristotle suggested that the goal of man is happiness, achievable through social interaction.

Question 5

What are the two major perspectives in defining politics?

Answer 5

• Institutional view
• Behavioral view

These perspectives approach politics from different angles, focusing on institutions and behavior, respectively.

Question 6

How does the institutional view define politics?

Answer 6

The science of the state, dealing with theory, organization, government, and practice of the state

This perspective emphasizes the role of state institutions.

Question 7

What is the criticism of the institutional view according to Marsh and Stoker?

Answer 7

It is too narrow

They argue that politics also involves the distribution of power and resources in society.

Question 8

What does David Easton suggest politics revolves around?

Answer 8

Allocation of values

Politics is seen as a process of distributing resources among members of society.

Question 9

What does Lasswell’s definition of politics focus on?

Answer 9

Who gets what, when, and how

This highlights the regulatory role of authority in resource distribution.

Question 10

What is the role of para-political systems in politics?

Answer 10

They influence and shape the state and its operations

Examples include families, churches, and interest groups.

Question 11

What is political science primarily concerned with?

Answer 11

The systematic study and analysis of politics

This includes understanding political behavior and the allocation of resources.

Question 12

Who defined political science as an academic discipline focused on systematic analysis of politics?

Answer 12

Maxi Mbah

Mbah emphasizes the importance of understanding the factors affecting political behavior.

Question 13

What historical role did the Greeks play in the development of political science?

Answer 13

They practiced politics in city-states and engaged in discussions affecting their governance

Aristotle referred to politics as the ‘Master of science’.

Question 14

What organization was formed in 1903 to promote political science as a distinct discipline?

Answer 14

American Political Science Association (APSA)

This marked the beginning of political science as a formal academic field.

Question 15

What is a contentious aspect of political science debated by scholars?

Answer 15

Its scientific nature

Scholars have differing opinions on whether political science can be classified as a science.

Question 16

How is science defined in relation to political science?

Answer 16

An organized body of knowledge arrived at through systematic and empirical methods

This emphasizes the need for observable and verifiable methods in research.

Question 17

What is science defined as?

Answer 17

An organized body of knowledge and a systematic and empirical method of arriving at scientific knowledge

Science involves observation, verification, classification, analysis, interpretation, and prediction.

Question 18

What are the characteristics of the scientific method?

Answer 18

Systematic and empirical

Empirical methods are observable and open to verification.

Question 19

Name the methods of science.

Answer 19

• Observation
• Verification
• Classification
• Analysis
• Interpretation
• Prediction

Question 20

True or False: Scientific knowledge is based solely on subjective interpretation.

Answer 20

False

Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence and systematic methods.

Question 21

What do political scientists need to do with data collected using the scientific method?

Answer 21

Classify the data

Classification helps in interpreting and making informed judgments about political phenomena.

Question 22

According to Isaak (1985), what is a systematic knowledge based on?

Answer 22

Empiricism

Question 23

What is one argument against the scientific nature of political science?

Answer 23

Objectivity and predictability are hallmarks of science, which political scientists struggle to achieve due to personal biases.

Question 24

According to Grigsby, what aspect of political science research is often subjective?

Answer 24

The interpretation of data

Researchers may impose meanings based on personal biases.

Question 25

What is the main object of study in political science?

Answer 25

Man, who can manipulate and affect research outcomes.

Question 26

What two types of sciences are identified in the text?

Answer 26

* Natural sciences * Social sciences

Question 27

What is the traditional approach to political inquiry concerned with?

Answer 27

Historical and normative perspectives ## Footnote It is prescriptive and focuses on what ought to be.

Question 28

Who is considered the founder of the traditional approaches in political inquiry?

Answer 28

Plato

Question 29

What does the philosophical approach in political science focus on?

Answer 29

Normative questions about what should obtain based on reason.

Question 30

What does the historical approach emphasize in political science?

Answer 30

The relevance of past political phenomena to present and future issues.

Question 31

What is the focus of the institutional approach in political science?

Answer 31

Formal institutions of government ## Footnote It emphasizes the roles of the legislature, judiciary, and executive.

Question 32

What does the legal approach study in political science?

Answer 32

The constitution and legal codes ## Footnote It analyzes political phenomena based on legal frameworks.

Question 33

What is the main concern of the behavioral approach in political science?

Answer 33

The empirical analysis of the behavior of individuals and social groups.

Question 34

Name two proponents of the behavioral approach.

Answer 34

* Charles Merriam * Gabriel Almond

Question 35

What does the elite approach assume about social classes?

Answer 35

The elite class has significant influence over political affairs.

Question 36

What is the focus of the group approach in political science?

Answer 36

The behavior of individuals within groups and their influence on government.

Question 37

According to the systems approach, what does the political system operate within?

Answer 37

A community of other systems ## Footnote This includes physical, social, religious, biological, and economic systems.

Question 38

What is central to the decision-making approach in political science?

Answer 38

Decision-makers and the decisions they make.

Question 39

What does the structural-functional approach assume about political systems?

Answer 39

Every political system has a structure that is multi-functional.

Question 40

List the five input functions associated with the structural-functional approach.

Answer 40

* Political socialization * Political recruitment * Interest articulation * Interest aggregation * Political communication

Question 41

What are the three output functions in the structural-functional approach?

Answer 41

* Legislative * Executive * Judicial