This document provides an overview of key concepts in political science for a college introductory course. It defines politics, power, and government and distinguishes between politics and economics. It also outlines different forms of government such as democracy, authoritarianism, and types of economic systems including capitalism, socialism, and social democracy. The document discusses citizens versus subjects and characteristics of democratic versus authoritarian systems.

1. PO 101
Spring 2017

4. INSTRUCTIONS:
On a separate sheet of paper,
write down your answers to the following questions:
What do you LIKE about our government?
What do you DISLIKE about our government?
What would you CHANGE about our government?

7. What words, concepts, ideas, etc. come to mind
when you see the following words?
“politics”
“politicians”
“power”

9. Why is politics an important topic to study?

10. Why is the national government
an important topic to study?

11.  Many definitions of politics:
 Lasswell: “Who gets what, when and how”
 “The resolution of conflict”
 “The competition among individuals, groups, or states
pursuing their interests”
 Characteristics of Politics:
 Struggle for power
 Emphasis on decision-making
 Political scientists study power as it relates to the
political community
 Political party, legislature, city, region, country

15.  Power:
 Ability to influence others or impose will on them
 HowTo Know ifYou Have Power?
 Get someone to do something they would not do
 Prevent someone from doing something they would do
 Influence how people think

20. POLITICS
 Process or activity through
which power and resources
are gained and lost
GOVERNMENT
 System or organization for
exercising authority over a
body of people

22.  Determine how we try to get the things we
want in politics
 Peaceful, democratic elections
 Violent revolutions
 Who decides on the rules is important
 Rule by the elite (Aristocracy)
 Rule by the wealthy (Plutocracy)
 Rule by royalty (Monarchy)
 Rule by the people (Democracy)

23.  Organizations where governmental power is
exercised
 Constitution defines institutions of U.S. govt.
 Legislative, Executive, Judicial Branches
 Different arrangements in other countries:
 Parliament
 Ruler
 Council
 Goal: Prosperous political environment

25. POLITICS
 Concerned with
distribution of power
and resources in society
ECONOMICS
 Concerned with production
and distribution of societal
goods

27.  Means of production (land, labor, etc.)
are privately owned
 Decisions about how much to produce, etc.
are left to individuals
▪ Reliance on supply and demand
 Government interference is small

28. LAISSEZ-FAIRE
 “Let people do as they wish”
 Government has no
economic role
REGULATED
 Allows government to step
in and regulate economy to
safeguard individual rights

29. SOCIALISM
 Economic decisions made
by politicians using their
judgment on projected
societal needs
SOCIAL DEMOCRACY
 Middle ground between
capitalism and socialism
 Equality through gradual
democratization rather
than Socialist revolutionNorth Korea and Cuba can be considered
modern examples of Socialist governments.

32.  State has ultimate power
 Various Forms:
 Monarchy—Rule by Individual
 Theocracy—Rule by Religion
 Fascist—Rule by State
 Totalitarian System
▪ Authoritarian Govt. and Socialist Economy

33.  Anarchy
 Democracy
 Elite Democracy
▪ Government run by elites in various fields
 Pluralist Democracy
▪ Emphasis on group membership
 Participatory Democracy
▪ Individuals have right to participate in government

36. PEOPLE AS SUBJECTS
 Authoritarian Systems
 Definition of “Subjects”
 No Rights or Freedoms
 Obligations to State
PEOPLE AS CITIZENS
 Democratic Systems
 Definition of “Citizens”
 Characteristics:
 Power from people
 People are sovereign
 People consent to governed
 Government responds to
citizens’ will

39. Democracy
began in
Athens,
Greece.
The “Divine Right of
Kings” during the
Middle Ages
The Enlightenment
centered on all the
above values.
Luther was
influential
during the
Reformation