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Political Science Notes

The document provides an overview of Political Science, covering its meaning, nature, and scope, as well as the relationship between political science and law. It discusses the state, its elements, origins, and types, along with the concept of sovereignty and its characteristics. Additionally, it explores democracy, forms of government, and various political ideologies including liberalism, socialism, Marxism, and anarchism, highlighting their features, merits, and demerits.

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6 views4 pages

Political Science Notes

The document provides an overview of Political Science, covering its meaning, nature, and scope, as well as the relationship between political science and law. It discusses the state, its elements, origins, and types, along with the concept of sovereignty and its characteristics. Additionally, it explores democracy, forms of government, and various political ideologies including liberalism, socialism, Marxism, and anarchism, highlighting their features, merits, and demerits.

Uploaded by

aadilyousuf341
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© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

POLITICAL SCIENCE NOTES – CHAPTER 1 TO 5

CHAPTER 1 – Introduction to Political Science

1. Meaning, Nature and Scope

Political Science studies state, government and power. It is a social science dealing with political
institutions and public welfare.

Nature: social science, theoretical + practical, value-based.

Scope includes: political theory, public administration, comparative politics, IR, political behaviour.

2. Political Science and Law

Political science explains the need for laws; law provides rules to run the state. Constitution, courts
and rights connect them.

3. Traditional Approaches

Philosophical: Uses reasoning, justice, liberty.

Legal: Focus on constitution, rights.

Institutional: Studies parliament, judiciary, executive.

4. Modern Approaches

Behaviouralism: Studies political behaviour scientifically.

Post-Behaviouralism: Adds values + scientific method.

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CHAPTER 2 – The State

1. Nature & Elements of State

Elements: Population, Territory, Government, Sovereignty.

Nature: permanent, legal authority, ensures welfare.

2. Origin of State

Divine Theory – God created the state.

Evolutionary – Slow development from family to state.

Patriarchal – State grew from father's authority.


Social Contract – People agreed to form the state (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau).

3. Laissez-Faire, Socialist, Welfare State

Laissez-Faire: no govt interference.

Socialist State: govt controls economy.

Welfare State: govt provides welfare services.

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CHAPTER 3 – Sovereignty

1. Meaning: Supreme power of state to make laws.

2. Nature:

Absolute, permanent, indivisible, universal.

3. Characteristics:

Supremacy, independence, unity, permanence, comprehensiveness.

4. Types:

Internal – control inside territory.

External – freedom from foreign control.

Legal – law-making authority.

Political – real power of people.

5. Theories:

Monistic (Austin): State is supreme, one sovereign.

Pluralistic (Laski): Many associations share power.

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CHAPTER 4 – Democracy

Meaning: Government by the people.


Types:

Direct – people decide directly.

Indirect – elected representatives.

Liberal – rights-based democracy.

Social – welfare + equality.

Forms of Government:

Parliamentary – PM is real head, accountable to parliament.

Presidential – President real head, separation of powers.

Forms of State:

Unitary – single central authority.

Federal – power shared between centre & states.

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CHAPTER 5 – Political Ideologies

1. Liberalism

Features: liberty, rights, democracy.

Merits: freedom, progress.

Demerits: inequality.

2. Socialism

Features: equality, govt control.

Merits: reduces poverty.

Demerits: less innovation.

3. Marxism

Features: class struggle, revolution, no private property.

Merits: justice, no exploitation.

Demerits: violence, low freedom.


4. Anarchism

Features: no govt, full freedom.

Merits: opposes oppression.

Demerits: chaos, impractical.

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