Chapter 1

1. Chapter 1 Politics— Setting the Stage

2. What is Political Science? The academic study of the relationships between governments and other governments, and between governments and people. Issue of power is important but in political science focuses on government and people (not workplaces or similar groups)

3. Study of Politics • Cover two main issues: • The making of common decisions for a group of people (ie, a decision, law, etc. that applies to all) • The use of power

4. Making Common Decisions For the People Making of common policy for a group is different from making a common decision Actions of decision-makers of common decisions relevant to study of politics Questions about these policies relevant Literal making of policies relevant

5. Power • Exercise of power is critical for study of politics • Power: the ability of one person to cause another to do something the first wishes, by whatever means.

6. Ways to Implement Power • Coercion: Person forced to do something against will • Persuasion: When person is convinced he/she wants to do specific action that person in power wants • Construction of Incentives: When person in power makes alternatives seem so horrible, that people want to choose only one policy/decision.

7. Types of Power Manifest Power: When an observable act by A leads B to do what A wants Implicit Power: B does what A wants not because A specifically asks for it but because B wants to do it for A for any number of reasons

8. Power & Choice • Politics includes • Making best solution for common good (public choice) • Process by which some people are dominated by leaders

9. Power & State State: Has a broader definition in political science than we know in United States! State: Is not what we know as the 50 states but instead is a term used interchangeably with the word “country”

10. Political Science Political scientists can • Develop Theory • Types of Theories: • Normative • Empirical