INTRODUCTION TO
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Prepared by :
Mr. Exzur Jay B. Arabia
Faculty, College of Education and Liberal Arts
Outline of the lecture
1. Overview of the course
2. Etymology of Politics
3. Nature, growth and development of Political Science
4. Related Fields to Political Science
5. Branches of Political Science
6. Functions of Political Science
“Politics without
history has no root,
and that History
without politics has
no fruit.”
What is Politics?
The word politics is derived from the
Greek word “polis” meaning literally a
city-state.
Ancient Greek society was divided
into a collection of independent city-
states, each of which possesses its
own system of government. In this
light, politics can be understood to
refer to the affairs of the polis-in
effect “what concerns the polis”
What is Politics?
• The modern form of this
definition is therefore “what
concerns the state”.
• In its broad sense, is the activity
through which people make,
preserve and amend general
rules under which they live.
DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICS
ANCIENT MEDIEVAL MODERN
More definitions of politics :
• There are several and competing definitions of politics
Politics may also be defined as an art and science of government
The exercise of power
The science of government
The making of collective decisions
More on politics :
• Politics can inextricably
linked to the phenomena of
conflict and cooperation.
• The heart of politics is often
portrayed as the process of
conflict resolution
Public vs. Private affairs
Public Private
The state : apparatus of the Civil society :
government Autonomous bodies-businesses,
trade unions, clubs, associations
Public realm : Personal realm :
Politics, work, art, culture etc. Family and domestic life
What is Political Science?
• The field of political science is a social science that
dates back 2,500 years with the works of Plato and
Aristotle, who defined it as the "study of the state" and
were interested in the greater good of their citizens.
• In its simplest terms, political science is the study of the
state and the government
“Man is by nature a
political animal.”
-Aristotle
Interrelationship of Political Science with
other branches of learning
HISTORY ECONOMICS GEOGRAPHY
Interrelationship of Political Science with
other branches of learning
PHILOSOPHY SOCIOLOGY JURISPRUDENCE
Scope of Political Science
1. Political Theory
2. Public administration
3. Public law
4. International relations
5. Comparative politics
Political Theory
• This is a set of specified relationships
encompassing political matters that
focus and organize inquiry to
describe, explain and predict
political events.
• The entire body of doctrines relating
to the origin, form, behavior, and
purposes of the state
Public Administration
• This is focused upon the methods and
techniques used in the actual
management of state affairs by the
branches of the government
• It deals with the organization, control
and coordination of administrative
machinery, personnel administration,
financial administration, public relations
and administrative law.
Public law
• The organization of the
governments, the limitations
upon government authority,
powers and duties of the
offices of the government and
the obligation of the states
(countries) to one another are
handled in this study.
International Relations
• The study of the relations
of states with each other
and with international
organizations and certain
subnational entities
Comparative Politics
• The study of comparative politics
involves conscious comparisons
in studying political experience,
institutions, behavior and
processes of the systems of
government in a comprehensive
manner.
Importance of the study of Political Science
1. The function of Political Science is to discover the principles that
should be adhered to in public affairs and to study the operations of
the government in order to demonstrate what is good, criticize
what is bad or inefficient, and to suggest improvements
2. The findings and conclusions in the study of Political Science may be
of immense practical use to lawmakers, executives and judges for
the better administration of the state
3. It teaches us lessons about cooperation, toleration and conflict
resolution
Importance of the study of Political Science
4. The study of Political Science deals with the problems of the social
welfare, governmental economic programs, international
cooperation and other matters that are urgent concern to both
public and private affairs
5. The study of Political Science is valuable for creating good citizenship
and securing unity of the nation. Good citizenship will lead to public
good
Apolinario Mabini
on theory and
practicality in
governance
"It is true that whoever attempts to govern on the basis of theories alone is
bound to fail because the science of government is essentially practical; but
it is also true that all practices contrary to theory, that is to say, contrary to
reason and science, can fittingly be termed abuses, that is to say, corrupt
practices, since they corrupt society.
The ruler’s success is always to be found in the adjustment of his practical
measures to the natural and immutable order of things and to the special
needs of the locality, an adjustment that can be made with the help of
theoretical knowledge and experience.
The source of all failures in government can therefore be found, not in
(mistaken) theories but in unprincipled practices arising from base passions
or ignorance…"
