key concepts in politics
Key Concepts in Politics
GVPT 100
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
OUTLINE
1. What is a Concept?
2. Fundamental Political Concepts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
GOVERNMENT/GOVERNANCE
HUMAN NATURE
LAW
POWER
SOVEREIGNTY
STATE
CONCEPT
A concept is a general idea about something,
usually expressed in a single word or a short phrase. A concept is more than a proper noun or the name of a thing.
Concepts are 'general' in the sense that they can refer to a number of objects, indeed to any object that complies with the general idea itself.
Concepts, Models, and Theories
Concepts, models and theories are the tools of
political analysis.
David Easton‟s “Political System” Model
One of the most influential models in political analysis is
the model of the political system developed by David
Easton. This model sets out to explain the entire political process, as well as the function of major political actors, through the application of what is called systems analysis.
Why are concepts important in political analysis?
At least three reasons can be suggested to explain the
unusual importance of concepts in political analysis:
Political analysis typically deals in generalizations.
2. The language used by practitioners of politics lacks precision and consistency.
3. Political concepts are frequently entwined with ideological beliefs.
1.
NORMATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE CONCEPTS
Normative concepts such as “freedom” and “justice”
are often described as 'values'; they refer to moral principles or ideals, that which must be brought about. By contrast, descriptive or positive concepts refer to
'facts„ which supposedly have an objective and demonstrable existence: they refer to what is.
Concepts such as 'power', ' authority' , „order‟ and 'law' are in this sense descriptive rather than normative. It is possible to ask whether they exist or do not exist.
However, it is impossible completely to divorce the
GVPT 100
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
OUTLINE
1. What is a Concept?
2. Fundamental Political Concepts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
GOVERNMENT/GOVERNANCE
HUMAN NATURE
LAW
POWER
SOVEREIGNTY
STATE
CONCEPT
A concept is a general idea about something,
usually expressed in a single word or a short phrase. A concept is more than a proper noun or the name of a thing.
Concepts are 'general' in the sense that they can refer to a number of objects, indeed to any object that complies with the general idea itself.
Concepts, Models, and Theories
Concepts, models and theories are the tools of
political analysis.
David Easton‟s “Political System” Model
One of the most influential models in political analysis is
the model of the political system developed by David
Easton. This model sets out to explain the entire political process, as well as the function of major political actors, through the application of what is called systems analysis.
Why are concepts important in political analysis?
At least three reasons can be suggested to explain the
unusual importance of concepts in political analysis:
Political analysis typically deals in generalizations.
2. The language used by practitioners of politics lacks precision and consistency.
3. Political concepts are frequently entwined with ideological beliefs.
1.
NORMATIVE AND DESCRIPTIVE CONCEPTS
Normative concepts such as “freedom” and “justice”
are often described as 'values'; they refer to moral principles or ideals, that which must be brought about. By contrast, descriptive or positive concepts refer to
'facts„ which supposedly have an objective and demonstrable existence: they refer to what is.
Concepts such as 'power', ' authority' , „order‟ and 'law' are in this sense descriptive rather than normative. It is possible to ask whether they exist or do not exist.
However, it is impossible completely to divorce the