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Understanding Politics and Governance

1. The document defines politics as the study of "who gets what, when and how" and the exercise of power and decision making within a community. Political science is the systematic study of political institutions and processes. 2. Governance is defined as the process of decision making and implementation. Good governance ensures participation, rule of law, transparency, and accountability. It also serves all stakeholders responsively and efficiently. 3. The document emphasizes the link between politics and governance. Recognizing this link provides a clear understanding for both government and citizens of the political activities needed for good governance.

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102 views5 pages

Understanding Politics and Governance

1. The document defines politics as the study of "who gets what, when and how" and the exercise of power and decision making within a community. Political science is the systematic study of political institutions and processes. 2. Governance is defined as the process of decision making and implementation. Good governance ensures participation, rule of law, transparency, and accountability. It also serves all stakeholders responsively and efficiently. 3. The document emphasizes the link between politics and governance. Recognizing this link provides a clear understanding for both government and citizens of the political activities needed for good governance.

Uploaded by

Gilbert John
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Lesson 1 - The Concepts of Politics and Governance
  • Activity and Application

GRADE

San Fabian National High School


San Fabian, Pangasinan 12
HUM
MODULE SSS
in
PHILIPPINE POLITICS
AND GOVERNANCE
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Quarter 3 Week 1 Module 1

For inquiries, please contact:

Name of Teacher Contact Number Messenger

DANRIDGE G. VERCELES 09957398835 Danridge De Guzman Verceles


LESSON 1

THE CONCEPTS OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE


___________________________________________________________________________

Most Essential Learning Competencies

 Define politics and governance and understand the rules of the game.

 Develop a critical way of thinking and in interpreting Politics and Governance.

 Recognize the value and evaluate the importance of politics in their everyday dealings.

PRETEST
Instruction: Write TRUE if the given statement is correct. If incorrect, replace the underlined
word/s to make the statement correct.
1. During the time of Aristotle, political science pertained to a practical science concerned with the
noble action or happiness of the citizens.
2. Political Science is a social science concerned chiefly with the description and analysis of political
and governmental institutions and processes.
3. The secondary concerned of science of politics is with the association of human beings into “body
politic” or in a political community.
4. Good governance assures that corruption is minimized, the views of ethnic groups are taken into
account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making.
5. Recognizing the essential link between politics and governance will provide both government
officials and citizens a clear idea of the type of political activity essential for good governance.

CONCEPTS DISCUSSION

WHAT IS POLITICS?
 POLITICS, in Greek philosopher Aristotle’s word, was politikê, the short form of politikê
episteme, or political science. The adjective “political” also traces its roots to the Greek. It
comes from politikos, which means, “of, or pertaining to, the polis” or city-state
 Politics is the study of “who gets what, when and how” as Harold Laswell states
 Politics is the exercise of power, the science of government, the making collective decisions,
the allocations of scarce resources and the practice of deception and manipulation
 Politics could also be viewed as “the process of making government policies”

WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE?


 Political Science – centers on the systematic study of political and government institutions. In
this field of knowledge, the principles, process, and structures of political and government
institutions are given importance
 Aristotle – Father of Political Science
 Niccolo Machiavelli – Father of Modern Political Science; he wrote “The Prince” a handbook
for rulers in the art of government
 Teodoro M. Kalaw is the first Filipino student of politics and defined political science in his
Manual Ciencia Politica in 1918 as, “the nature and organization of the State, the structure,
and functions of the high branches of government, and the theory of political and civil
liberties”
 Political Science is defined as “the systematic study of political and government institutions
and processes” (Ranney, 1995)
 Bluntschli, a Swiss scholar. Defined political science as the “science, which concerned with
state, which endeavors to understand and comprehend the state in its fundamental conditions,
in its essential nature, its various form manifestation, its development”
 To Paul Janet, a French scholar, political science is, “that part of science which treats the
foundations of the state and the principles of government”
CHARACTERISTICS OF POLITICS (SHIEVELY, 2013)
1. Politics always involves the making of collective decisions for group of people
2. Those decisions are made by some members of the group exercising power over other members of
the group

THE SCIENCE OF POLITICS


1. It is the basic knowledge and understanding of the state and the principles and ideals which
underlie its organization and activities
2. It is primarily concerned with the association of human beings into “body politic” or in a political
community
3. It deals with those relations among men and groups which are subject to control by the state with
the relations of men and groups to the state itself and the relations of the state to another state

STAGES IN THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE


1. Religious Stage – the government, its leaders and laws was considered as divine or divinely
inspired
2. Metaphysical Stage – the state was considered as a human institution, and it is, therefore, absolute
(cannot be changed)
3. Modern Stage – the state was deemed capable of being improved by rulers and subjects according
to certain principles and laws

APPROACHES TO DEFINING POLITICS


In Heywood citing Hay (2002) and Leftwich (2004) identified two broad approaches:
1. Politics as an Arena or Location – In there, politics is associated with an arena or area, in which
case behavior becomes ‘political because of where it takes place. This includes the art of government
and public affairs.
2. Politics as a Process or Mechanism – In which case ‘political’ behavior is behavior that exhibits
distinctive characteristics or qualities, and so can take help place in any, and perhaps all, social
contexts. It includes compromise and consensus, and power and distribution of resources.
THE MEANING OF GOVERNANCE
 The concept of “governance” is as old as human civilization
 Governance was defined as “the process of decision-making and the process by which
decisions are implemented (or not implemented)
 Governance can be viewed in the following context: corporate governance, international
governance, national governance and local governance
 Good governance assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into
account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making.
 It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE (UNESCO for Asia and the Pacific)


1. Participation
Citizens must partake directly or indirectly (having a representative) in every governmental
process
2. Rule of Law
Legal framework such as the promotion of a full protection of human rights and dignity
especially those members of minorities
3. Transparency
It means that information is freely available and directly accessible and it is provided easily
understandable forms and media
4. Responsiveness
Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a
reasonable timeframe
5. Consensus Oriented
Requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society
on what is the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved
6. Effectiveness and Efficiency
Means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while
making the best use of resources at their disposal
7. Accountability
Accountability is a crucial requirement for good governance. Not only governmental
institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the
public and their institutional stakeholders

ACTIVITY
POLITICAL CARTOONING (USE SHORT BOND PAPER)
Directions: Draw a political cartoon of what good governance would look like.
1. Make it unique and eye catching.
2. Creativity and humor help.
3. Using familiar figures also helps dramatically.
4. Explain within 3-5 sentences.

POLITICS AN GOVERNANCE: SOME IMPORTANT LINKS


 American political science professor Michael Johnston suggests that good governance
embodies “partnerships between state and society, and among citizens”
 Such partnerships, he says, are “sustained not by good intentions alone but the lasting,
converging incentives and strong institutions”
 According to Johnston, he emphasizes that “politics is a part of governance”
 By recognizing the essential link between politics and governance, both government officials
and citizens could have a clear idea of the kind of political activity essential for good
governance
 Government could more effectively formulate and implement policies, and citizens could
more effectively contribute to efforts to advance the general welfare of citizens

Common questions

Powered by AI

Political science plays a central role in understanding the state by systematically examining political and government institutions, their principles, structures, and processes. Scholarly definitions, such as Kalaw's focus on political science covering state organization, civil liberties, and government functions , or Bluntschli's emphasis on comprehending the state's fundamental conditions , reflect a multifaceted approach. These definitions underscore the academic endeavor to analyze and improve governance through a structured understanding of political dynamics.

Political science, by systematically studying political structures and processes, provides insights into institutional design elements that enhance responsiveness and effectiveness. Understanding political dynamics, power distributions, governance principles, and behavioral patterns enables the crafting of institutions that are adaptable and resource-efficient, meeting the diverse needs of society. This knowledge aids in optimizing governance frameworks to foster participation, enforce rule of law, and ensure accountability . Such intelligently designed institutions can dynamically respond to societal challenges and future demands.

Understanding the relationship between politics and governance is crucial, as it helps government officials to better formulate and implement policies. For citizens, it enhances their ability to contribute effectively to the general welfare. Johnston emphasizes that politics forms part of governance and that partnerships between the state, society, and citizens, underpinned by converging incentives and strong institutions, are vital to achieving good governance . This understanding promotes a collaborative approach vital for sustainable development and societal advancement.

Aristotle, known as the Father of Political Science, viewed political science as a practical science concerned with noble actions and citizen happiness . Machiavelli, the Father of Modern Political Science, shifted focus to pragmatic governance strategies, writing "The Prince" as a manual for rulers on the art of government . While Aristotle emphasized ethical governance, Machiavelli concentrated on the cunning and strategic aspects of political leadership. Together, they provide complementary frameworks; Aristotle offers normative theories of governance, while Machiavelli offers practical guidance, enhancing the comprehensive study of political science.

Citizen participation ensures that the voices of society are represented in decision-making, enhancing legitimacy and inclusivity of governance . Accountability demands that government institutions, private sectors, and civil society are answerable to the public, promoting transparency and trust . However, challenges include potential apathy or misinformation among citizens, institutional resistance to transparency, and difficulties in establishing effective accountability mechanisms, potentially hampering governance quality and effectiveness.

'Politics as an arena' refers to viewing politics as being tied to specific locations or contexts, such that behavior is considered political because of where it takes place, typically in government and public affairs settings. Conversely, 'politics as a process' involves behaviors exhibiting characteristics or qualities that can occur in all social contexts, emphasizing compromise, consensus, power, and resource distribution . These definitions imply that political science can focus either on political structures and environments or on the interactions and behaviors forming political reality, suggesting a holistic approach to understanding politics in diverse spheres of life.

Narrow definitions of politics and governance may limit understanding to formal governmental structures and decision-making within set boundaries, potentially overlooking the broader social and informal dynamics impacting societal development . Broad definitions, incorporating politics as a process and governance as a multifaceted activity influenced by global and local factors , encourage a more inclusive approach, allowing stakeholders to address complex socio-economic challenges innovatively. This broad perspective can lead to holistic development policies that engage various societal actors, fostering comprehensive growth and adaptability.

The transition from religious to modern stages in political science history reflects the movement from governance perceived as divine to one judged by human standards and adaptability . This evolution influences contemporary governance by embedding principles of adaptability, democratization, and secularism into institutional practices. It underscores the shift towards evidence-based policy-making and citizen-centric governance, moving away from dogmatic approaches, and influences contemporary strategies for inclusivity and efficiency. Such historical understanding contextualizes modern governance as a progressive refinement of power structures balancing traditional reverence with innovative problem-solving.

UNESCO defines good governance with characteristics like participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus-oriented, effectiveness and efficiency, and accountability . Together, these characteristics ensure diverse citizen engagement, uphold legal standards, promote open access to information, encourage institutional adaptability, foster common societal goals, optimize resource use, and require responsibility from all stakeholders, thereby contributing to a society that is fair, just, and prosperous.

Governance in a modern state is characterized by the flexibility to improve systems based on principles and laws, contrasting with historical stages like the 'religious stage,' where governance was seen as divinely inspired, or the 'metaphysical stage,' where the state was considered unchangeable . Modern governance embodies adaptive policies driven by consensus and accountability, while historical stages were more static and rigid, with little citizen agency. This evolution marks progress from divine or absolute rule to participative and dynamic political systems.

San Fabian National High School San Fabian, Pangasinan HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES For inquiries, please contact: Name of
THE CONCEPTS OF POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE ___________________________________________________________________________ Most Esse
 Politics could also be viewed as “the process of making government policies” WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE?  Political Scienc
2. Metaphysical Stage – the state was considered as a human institution, and it is, therefore, absolute (cannot be changed) 3
Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe 5. Conse

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