Chapter 1 Politics— Setting the Stage

 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) What is Political Science?

 Cover two main issues: 1.The making of common decisions for a group of people (ie, a decision, law, etc. that applies to all) 2.The use of power Study of Politics

 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 Making Common Decisions For the People

 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. Power

1.Coercion: Person forced to do something against will 2.Persuasion: When person is convinced he/she wants to do specific action that person in power wants 3.Construction of Incentives: When person in power makes alternatives seem so horrible, that people want to choose only one policy/decision. Ways to Implement 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 Types of Power

 Politics includes 1.Making best solution for common good (public choice) 2.Process by which some people are dominated by leaders Power & Choice

 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” Power & State

Political scientists can  Develop Theory  Types of Theories: 1.Normative 2.Empirical Political Science