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Pol 101 > Introduction To Political Science > Flashcards

Introduction To Political Science Flashcards

1
Q

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

A

Politics

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

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2
Q

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

A

Negative, bad, and unethical

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

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3
Q

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

A

Godwin Unanka

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

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4
Q

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

A

Humans are inherently social and political beings

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

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5
Q

What are the two major perspectives in defining politics?

A
  • Institutional view
  • Behavioral view

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

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6
Q

How does the institutional view define politics?

A

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

This perspective emphasizes the role of state institutions.

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7
Q

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

A

It is too narrow

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

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8
Q

What does David Easton suggest politics revolves around?

A

Allocation of values

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

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9
Q

What does Lasswell’s definition of politics focus on?

A

Who gets what, when, and how

This highlights the regulatory role of authority in resource distribution.

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10
Q

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

A

They influence and shape the state and its operations

Examples include families, churches, and interest groups.

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11
Q

What is political science primarily concerned with?

A

The systematic study and analysis of politics

This includes understanding political behavior and the allocation of resources.

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12
Q

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

A

Maxi Mbah

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

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13
Q

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

A

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

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

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14
Q

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

A

American Political Science Association (APSA)

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

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15
Q

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

A

Its scientific nature

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

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16
Q

How is science defined in relation to political science?

A

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

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

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17
Q

What is science defined as?

A

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.

18
Q

What are the characteristics of the scientific method?

A

Systematic and empirical

Empirical methods are observable and open to verification.

19
Q

Name the methods of science.

A
  • Observation
  • Verification
  • Classification
  • Analysis
  • Interpretation
  • Prediction
20
Q

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

A

False

Scientific knowledge is based on empirical evidence and systematic methods.

21
Q

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

A

Classify the data

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

22
Q

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

A

Empiricism

23
Q

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

A

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

24
Q

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

A

The interpretation of data

Researchers may impose meanings based on personal biases.

25
Q

What is the main object of study in political science?

A

Man, who can manipulate and affect research outcomes.

26
Q

What two types of sciences are identified in the text?

A
  • Natural sciences
  • Social sciences
27
Q

What is the traditional approach to political inquiry concerned with?

A

Historical and normative perspectives

It is prescriptive and focuses on what ought to be.

28
Q

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

A

Plato

29
Q

What does the philosophical approach in political science focus on?

A

Normative questions about what should obtain based on reason.

30
Q

What does the historical approach emphasize in political science?

A

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

31
Q

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

A

Formal institutions of government

It emphasizes the roles of the legislature, judiciary, and executive.

32
Q

What does the legal approach study in political science?

A

The constitution and legal codes

It analyzes political phenomena based on legal frameworks.

33
Q

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

A

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

34
Q

Name two proponents of the behavioral approach.

A
  • Charles Merriam
  • Gabriel Almond
35
Q

What does the elite approach assume about social classes?

A

The elite class has significant influence over political affairs.

36
Q

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

A

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

37
Q

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

A

A community of other systems

This includes physical, social, religious, biological, and economic systems.

38
Q

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

A

Decision-makers and the decisions they make.

39
Q

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

A

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

40
Q

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

A
  • Political socialization
  • Political recruitment
  • Interest articulation
  • Interest aggregation
  • Political communication
41
Q

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

A
  • Legislative
  • Executive
  • Judicial

Pol 101 (1 decks)

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