Understanding Political Science
What is positivism?
Knowledge can only be derived from observation.
What is the definition of authoritarianism?
A type of political organization, a category of regimes NOT an ideology
Political authority is concentrated in one limited segment of society (could be a social class, the military, an absolute ruler, etc.)
What is the textbook definition of power?
The ability of an international actor to get another actor to do something they would not do otherwise.
What is the definition of war?
Military activity or armed violence carried out in a systematic and organized way by nation-states seeking to impose their will on other nation-states.
How is wealth and poverty distributed around the world?
There are big differences in well-being of world regions and countries. There is very uneven distribution of wealth around the world.
What is Max Weber's definition of politics?
Professional politicians striving to share power or striving to influence the distribution of power either among states or among groups within the state.
What is the main feature of a totalitarian regime?
The state controls every aspect of public and private life
What type of international actor are Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the International Red Cross all examples of?
International Non-Government Organizations
What is Samuel Huntington's main argument in the Clash of Civilizations?
Differences among civilizations are the main source of future conflict. NOT political ideology and NOT the economy.
List the three theories of International Political Economy.
Economic liberalism, Mercantilism, Marxism
What are the main tasks of political science?
Ethical recommendation: how things should be
Empirical understanding: how things are
Prudential judgment: how things can be done
What are the 3 core ideas in Karl Marx's political philosophy?
Class struggle: human societies are divided into classes
Dialectical change: societies transition between socio-economic systems
Historic materialism: economic structure determines how society is organized
What are the four multilateral solutions promoted by the UN?
1. Arms control
2. Disarmament
3. Diplomacy
4. Peaceful settlement
Name the three types of cost of war.
Human cost, economic cost, political/social costs
What is the Global South?
World regions where most global poverty is concentrated. Mostly in the southern hemisphere, but not exclusively. Their economies are dependent on agriculture and are pre-industrial.
What does operationalizing variables mean?
Identifying measurable, observable indicators for our variables. Step 4 of the 7 steps of scientific inquiry.
List the social contract theorists AND the famous works they each wrote.
Hobbes - The Leviathan
Locke - Two Treatises of Government
Rousseau - The Social Contract
What are the main effects of globalization?
Challenge to state sovereignty, political instability, environmental degradation and the plight of labor
List the four states Dr. K used as an example for civil wars.
US, Spain, Yugoslavia, Rwanda
What are the 6 concepts used to define property in International Relations?
Levels of income, food, healthcare, education, shelter, and quality of life below minimum standards for human decency.
What are the four main sub-disciplines of political science AND which tasks of political science does each sub-discipline perform?
Political theory (ethical recommendation)
American politics (empirical understanding and prudential judgment)
Comparative politics (empirical understanding, prudential judgment)
International politics (empirical understanding, prudential judgment)
DAILY DOUBLE: List all 11 political thinkers we have discussed.
Plato
Aristotle
Augustine
Aquinas
Machiavelli
Hobbes
Locke
Rousseau
Burke
Wollstonecraft
Mill
What are the six principles of realism, according to Morgenthau?
1. International politics is governed by objective laws of state behavior
2. State behavior is motivated by "interest defined as power"
3. What constitutes national interest changes over time
4. Universal moral principles do not motivate state behavior
5. National moral principles are not behind those nations' behavior either
6. International relations are distinct from moral philosophy, economics, and law
Name the 5 approaches to world peace.
Balance of power, UN third-party activities, Collective security, Global economic integration, Non-violent civilian defense
List the five examples Dr. K provided for states with emerging economies.
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa