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Chapter 1: Politics and Political Science
A) Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
1. Evaluate the several explanations of political power – biological, psychological,
cultural, rational, and irrational.
2. Justify the claim that political science may be considered a science –
understanding method, theory, evidence, and generalization.
3. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of several theoretical approaches –
behavioralism, systems theory, rational-choice theory, and new institutionalism.
4. Contrast normative theories of politics with political science – the difference
between what “should be” versus what “is.”
B) Lecture Outline
I. Introduction
A. The Relevance of Political Science
Political science helps us understand why events happen, why governments
succeed or fail, and why societies evolve politically.
Post-Cold War optimism:
o Collapse of Soviet communism, China’s economic reforms, and
widespread belief that Western-style democracy would dominate globally.
o Bush administration neo-conservatives predicted democratization in Iraq
(2003) and the Middle East.
o Arab Spring (2011): initially appeared to confirm this hope, fueled by
social media mobilization.
Reality check:
o Russia returned to autocracy and became hostile to the U.S.
o China maintained one-party rule while achieving economic growth.
o Middle Eastern elections often produced unstable, undemocratic regimes
(except Tunisia).
o Raises questions:
Were these societies “ready” for democracy?
Does democracy require a large middle class and tolerant political
culture?
Could democratization resume over decades?
B. What Is Political Science?
1. As a topic: the study of politics—power, governance, institutions, and human
behavior.
2. As a method: the application of systematic, scientific methods to study politics,
distinguishable from journalism or history.
II. What Is Politics?
A. Defining Political Power
Politics revolves around power, which distinguishes political science from other
disciplines.
Power definition: the ability of one actor (A) to get another (B) to do something
against B’s initial will.
Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527): emphasized the centrality of power in politics;
noted that effective leadership often requires strategic calculation and
manipulation.
B. Biological Explanations
Humans are naturally political/social animals (Aristotle: zoon politikon).
Political hierarchies and obedience may be innate, similar to dominance
hierarchies in primates.
Strength: explains natural tendency to form groups.
Limitation: cannot explain disobedience or group collapse under stress.
C. Psychological Explanations
Empirical studies show humans often conform to authority (Milgram experiment)
and peer pressure (Janis’ “groupthink”).
Explains why people obey, even against personal conscience.
Can account for political mistakes, collective behavior, and mass mobilization.
D. Cultural Explanations
Behavior is learned from society: family, religion, education, and media.
Political culture shapes expectations and permissible behavior.
Example: 1979 Iran – Shah attempted modernization against traditional culture
→ revolution.
Optimism: bad political behavior can be unlearned via education and cultural
reform.
Limitation: similar political patterns often emerge across different cultures,
suggesting culture alone does not fully explain politics.
E. Rational Explanations
Humans act based on reason, weighing costs and benefits.
Forms the basis of civil society (Hobbes, Locke).
Rational actors make decisions to maximize their interests, which provides a
foundation for accountable governance.
F. Irrational Explanations
Politics driven by emotion, myths, and symbols.
Charismatic leaders can manipulate crowds (Fascism, Nazi Germany, modern
extremism).
Danger: irrational politics can lead to war, tyranny, or social collapse.
G. Power as Composite
Political power is rarely explained by a single factor.
Historical example: American Revolution involved rational ideas (Paine), cultural
identity, psychological leadership (Adams, Washington), and political opportunity.
Power is not finite or easily measured: it is relational and earned, not simply
seized.
Example: Taliban “seized power” in Afghanistan but lacked broad legitimacy.
Relation to politics:
o Ingredient of politics
o Enabling device for political action
o Sometimes the ultimate goal of politics
III. What Is Political Science?
A. Understanding Political Science
Political science studies politics objectively, like biologists study bacteria.
It is distinct from politics itself; political scientists analyze, politicians act.
Aristotle: politics is the “master science” – political decisions affect all aspects
of society.
Harold Lasswell: politics = “who gets what, when, and how.”
B. Politics Everywhere
Economic decisions, disaster responses, and medical research are deeply
political.
Example: U.S. AIDS research vs. breast cancer funding → political choices
determine outcomes.
C. Studying Politics as a Science
1. Science = method, not subject.
o Original meaning: knowledge
o Modern meaning: systematic, empirical, evidence-based
2. Political science uses both quantitative (polls, voting data) and qualitative
evidence (case studies, historical records).
3. Large political questions often unquantifiable (e.g., why leaders make secret
decisions).
4. Empirical observation allows for generalizations → theories → rare laws.
D. Scholarly Approach
Reasoned: state assumptions, clarify scope
Balanced: consider multiple perspectives
Evidence-based: use primary and secondary sources
Theoretical: connect observations to broader frameworks
E. Utility of Political Science
Not about personal opinion or preparation for politics.
Contributes to good governance: “speaking truth to power.”
Historical examples:
o Warning about Iran’s instability (1979)
o Predicting Iraq’s post-invasion chaos (2003)
F. Subfields of Political Science
1. U.S. politics – domestic institutions and processes
2. Comparative politics – politics across nations
3. International relations – politics among states
4. Political theory – ideals of good governance
5. Public administration – bureaucratic functioning and reform
6. Constitutional law – interpretation and evolution of constitutions
7. Public policy – interface of politics and economics
G. Political Science vs. History and Journalism
History: examines specific events for understanding
Journalism: reports current events in real time
Political science: seeks generalizable patterns and causal relationships
IV. Theory in Political Science
A. Theories as Frameworks
Theories organize observations and suggest explanations.
Tested empirically; refined as evidence accumulates.
B. Behavioralism
Focus on institutions and observable behavior rather than ideals.
Positivist approach: apply scientific method to social science.
Critiques: not value-free, ignores systemic change, narrow in scope.
Led to post-behavioralism: combines empirical rigor with normative concerns.
C. New Institutionalism
Institutions shape behavior.
Recognizes that formal rules and organizational structures constrain and guide
political actors.
D. Systems Theory (David Easton)
Political systems modeled like biological systems: inputs → conversion →
outputs.
Critique: “black-box” problem – internal processes may be more important than
outputs alone.
Modified models include feedback from domestic and external pressures.
E. Rational-Choice Theory
Actors behave to maximize benefits and minimize costs.
Game theory applications: predict interactions and decision-making.
Example: Cuban Missile Crisis – modeling strategic choices highlights incentives
and risks.
V. Normative Political Theory vs. Political Science
A. Classical Thinkers
Plato: ideal polis; normative vision often impractical
Aristotle: empirical study of real political systems; blend of descriptive and
normative analysis
B. Machiavelli
Emphasized realistic pursuit and retention of power.
Introduced political realism: focus on practical outcomes, not ideals.
C. Contractualists
1. Hobbes: state of nature → self-interest → civil society
2. Locke: equality, tolerance, protection of life/property; influenced U.S. political
system
3. Rousseau: humans shaped by society; general will as source of justice
4. Marx: economic base drives political superstructure; class struggle shapes
history
o Failures: capitalism endured, ignored evolving economic complexities
VI. Conclusion
Politics is multidimensional: biological, psychological, cultural, rational, and
irrational factors interact.
Political science combines observation, evidence, and theory to make sense of
these patterns.
Subfields allow specialization while contributing to a holistic understanding.
Objective analysis supports better governance, informed decision-making, and
long-term societal development.