What is Political Science?

PHILO-notes

21 Sept 202102:33

Summary

TLDRPolitical science is a multifaceted social science that examines political institutions and behaviors. It delves into electoral systems, legislative processes, and domestic and international politics. Students gain a robust understanding of political theories, methods, and various subfields, including American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and pre-law. This education equips them for careers in law, public administration, journalism, and more, emphasizing the discipline's broad applicability.

Takeaways

📚 Political Science is a social scientific study that encompasses the analysis of political institutions and behavior.
🏛️ The study of political institutions includes the impact of electoral system designs on representation and the legislative process.
🌐 It also covers the influence of domestic political structures on international conflict.
🗳️ Political behavior involves examining how and why individuals participate in politics, including voting motivations and public opinion formation.
🧠 Students of political science gain a deep understanding of both institutions and behaviors, along with the theories that explain the political world.
🔍 They learn methods to test and refine these theories, enhancing their analytical skills.
📚 Subfields within political science include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and pre-law, each with a unique focus.
🇺🇸 American politics courses concentrate on domestic politics within the United States.
🌍 Comparative politics explores government and politics in various nations, offering a broader perspective.
🤝 International relations classes delve into foreign policy, international conflict, and global governance institutions.
🏢 Pre-law courses bridge the gap between legal institutions and the behavior of legal actors.
🎓 A degree in political science provides a solid foundation for further studies in law, political science, or other social sciences.
💼 Graduates can pursue diverse careers such as public administration, campaign management, journalism, and teaching, among others.

Q & A

What is the definition of political science according to the transcript?
-Political science is the social scientific study of political institutions and behavior, encompassing topics such as the design of electoral systems, legislative processes, and the impact of domestic political institutions on international conflict.
What are the key topics studied under political institutions?
-Key topics include the effect of electoral system design on representation, formal and informal elements of the legislative process, and the influence of domestic political institutions on international conflict.
How does the study of political behavior relate to political science?
-Political behavior studies how and why people participate in politics, the factors determining vote choice, and the nature and origins of public opinion.
What skills do political science students typically develop?
-Students develop a strong understanding of political institutions and behavior, learn relevant theories, and acquire methods for testing and refining these theories.
What are the different subfields of political science mentioned in the transcript?
-The subfields mentioned are American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and pre-law.
How do the courses in American politics differ from those in comparative politics?
-American politics courses focus on domestic politics within the United States, while comparative politics courses examine government and politics in other nations.
What issues are typically addressed in international relations classes?
-International relations classes address issues in foreign policy, international conflict, and the institutions governing interactions between nations.
What does pre-law education involve in the context of political science?
-Pre-law education in political science involves the study of legal institutions and the behavior of legal actors.
How does the study of political science provide a foundation for further education?
-The knowledge and skills acquired in political science offer a strong foundation for graduate training in law, political science, or other social sciences.
What career paths can students with a degree in political science pursue?
-Graduates can pursue careers in public administration, campaign management, consultation, grassroots political organization, corporate governmental affairs, foreign service, journalism, lobbying, and teaching.
What is the importance of understanding both political institutions and behavior for political science students?
-Understanding both political institutions and behavior is central to the discipline, providing a comprehensive view of the political world and enabling students to analyze and interpret political phenomena effectively.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Political Science Overview

This paragraph introduces political science as a social scientific discipline focused on the study of political institutions and behavior. It covers topics such as the impact of electoral systems on representation, legislative processes, and the influence of domestic institutions on international conflict. The paragraph also outlines how political scientists analyze political participation, voting choices, and public opinion, emphasizing the development of a robust understanding of political theories and methodologies. Students of political science are equipped with knowledge that can be applied across various subfields such as American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and pre-law, preparing them for diverse career paths in law, public administration, journalism, and education.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Political Science

Political Science is the academic study of government, politics, and political behavior. It is central to the video's theme as it encompasses the study of political institutions and behavior, providing a framework for understanding the various aspects discussed, such as electoral systems, legislative processes, and international relations.

💡Political Institutions

Political Institutions refer to the formal structures and organizations through which a society makes decisions. In the video, the impact of these institutions on representation, law-making, and international conflict is explored, illustrating their foundational role in shaping political outcomes and governance.

💡Electoral Systems

Electoral Systems are the methods and processes by which people choose their governing officials. The video discusses how the design of these systems can affect the quality of representation in government, highlighting the importance of this concept in determining political outcomes and citizen engagement.

💡Legislative Process

The Legislative Process involves the steps through which bills are considered, debated, and passed into law by a legislative body. The video mentions both formal and informal elements of this process, emphasizing its complexity and the various factors that can influence law-making.

💡Political Behavior

Political Behavior is the study of how and why individuals participate in the political process. The video describes how political scientists examine factors such as voter choice and public opinion, which are crucial for understanding the dynamics of political engagement and decision-making.

💡Vote Choice

Vote Choice refers to the decision-making process of voters when selecting political candidates or policies. The video identifies determinants of vote choice as a key area of study, showing how understanding these factors can provide insight into election outcomes and political preferences.

💡Public Opinion

Public Opinion represents the collective views and attitudes of the populace on various issues. In the context of the video, the nature and origins of public opinion are studied to understand its influence on political behavior and policy-making.

💡Theories

Theories in political science are conceptual frameworks that help explain and interpret political phenomena. The video emphasizes the importance of learning and testing these theories as a means to better understand and refine our knowledge of the political world.

💡Subfields

Subfields in political science are specialized areas of study such as American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Pre-law. The video outlines how these subfields, while distinct, contribute to a comprehensive understanding of political science by focusing on different aspects of political life.

💡American Politics

American Politics is a subfield that focuses on the domestic politics within the United States. The video mentions that courses in this area concentrate on understanding the political system, processes, and behaviors specific to the U.S. context.

💡Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics involves the study of political systems, institutions, and behaviors across different countries. The video notes that this subfield examines governance and politics in various nations, providing a broader perspective on political phenomena.

💡International Relations

International Relations is the study of interactions between nations and the factors that influence these interactions. The video discusses how this subfield addresses foreign policy, international conflict, and the institutions that govern international affairs.

💡Pre-law

Pre-law courses prepare students for law school by introducing legal concepts and institutions. The video mentions that these classes involve the study of legal actors and their behavior, which is important for understanding the legal system and its impact on politics.

💡Career Opportunities

Career Opportunities in political science are diverse and include roles in public administration, campaign management, journalism, and teaching, among others. The video highlights the versatility of a political science degree and its applicability to various professional paths.

Highlights

Political science is the social scientific study of political institutions and behavior.

Study of political institutions includes the effect of electoral systems on representation.

Legislative process includes formal and informal elements and their implications for law-making.

Domestic political institutions impact the incidence of international conflict.

Political behavior encompasses how and why people participate in politics.

Determinants of vote choice and the nature of public opinion are studied in political science.

Political science students develop a substantive understanding of political institutions and behavior.

Theories and methods in political science help understand and test the political world.

Political science offers courses in various subfields such as American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and pre-law.

American politics courses focus on domestic politics within the United States.

Comparative politics examines government and politics in other nations.

International relations classes address foreign policy, international conflict, and global institutions.

Pre-law classes involve legal institutions and the behavior of legal actors.

Knowledge and skills in political science provide a foundation for graduate training in various fields.

Political science graduates can pursue careers in public administration, campaign management, and consultation.

Graduates may also work in grassroots political organization, corporate governmental affairs, foreign service, journalism, lobbying, and teaching.