Political Science

Political Science

Dr. Nerijus Maliukevičius

Vilnius University

Startup

Documentary and the research method. Lions vs. foxes theme in the documentary. Human nature according to presented ideologies? Origins of politics – how do you see it? The most influential types of political knowledge in

contemporary public affairs? Religion in the documentary?

The use of fear in politics and vicious circle of A. Wendt.

Political science

Political science … is an academic and research discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political systems, political institutions and political behaviour. … a viable professional community sharing the ‘self-imposed standards and norms’ into which the incoming members of the profession are socialized.

Political science

Types of Knowledge (Walter Wallace) Religious; Mystical; Authoritarian; Logical deductive; Scientific.

!!! All are used in Politics but only Scientific works for Political science

Political science

Tools of scientific knowledgeConcept – general idea about something (exp. Political culture).

Model – a tool which helps achieve knowledge (exp. Easton’s Political system; Policy cycle).

Theory – a system of concepts and models which helps to explain and predict social events (exp. Realist theory of IR).

??? Paradigms

Political science

Level of analysis problem

??? Policy Politeia Politics

Micro

Mezo

Macro

Individual

Social

International

Political science

Evolution – from universalism to institualization of PS:

1. Philosophic tradition; 2. Empirical tradition;3. Scientific tradition;4. Contemporary traditions – the “smart

mix” of all. Exp. of Lithuania

Methodology

Research methods: Experimental – problem of controlling the

variables;Quantitative and qualitative – lies,

damned lies, and statistics; Comparative – how much is enough?Case study – what it proves?

Political science

The problem of autonomy?– Geopolitics;– Political communication;– Political economy;– …

Normative dilemma for political scientist?

Ideas and Ideologies

Questions:

1. Problem of definition.

2. Development of political ideas.

3. Ideologies.

4. “The Power of Nightmares” cont.


Marxist ideas are scientific – exp. of Scientific Marxism in Soviet Union?!

Liberalism is not an Ideology but a way of life?!

Conservatism is in fact pragmatism?! What about pragmatic Barack Obama!!!


Political ideas (ideals?)

vs.

Political ideologies (programs? paradigms?)

The problem of extreme interpretations!!!

Definition?

Desstut de Tracy (1796) and idea-ology - the science of ideas.

Marx and Engels on capitalism in The German Ideology:

– False and deceiving;– Not scientific.

… What about Socialism, Communism … and the “ruling intellectual force” of the proletariat?

War and Marxist influences on Karl Popper, Hannah Arendt – Ideology as an instrument for social control.

Definition?

“Ideology – a closed system of thought, which, by claiming a monopoly of truth, refuses to tolerate opposing ideas and rival beliefs”

“Ideology as an action-oriented belief system, an interrelated set of ideas that in some way guides and inspires political action.”

“World view” – “Ideal society” – “Roadmap”


Ancient political philosophy: Normative ideas about state and politics Human nature is objectively good and needs to be

analyzed Knowledge is good Human mind is able to find the best political model

for the state Idealism – the driving intellectual forceSocrates, Plato, Aristotle


Political philosophy of the Middle agesTeocentrism;Dual human nature (soul and body)Practical problem of the Church vs. the

State is solved for the benefit of the Church

St. Augustine


Political philosophy of the Renaissance - the First divide?

Anthropocentrism (Prometheus as a central theme)

National state vs. monarchy and empireAbsolute secular powerMachiavelli, Hobbes?


Political philosophy of Enlightenment – the Second divide?

State is the result of social contract Civic society is superior to the state State power can not be total Idea of separation of powers

Locke


Legacy of Political ideas and explanatory power. Diplomacy:

– Classical or Hugo Grotius type – Realist or Nicola Machiavelli type– Ethical or Immanuel Kant type

International relations (Alexander Wendt’s constructivism):– Relations of Kant, of Locke or of Hobbes style.


Liberalism – the highest value is given to individual, his freedoms and rights.

Historic context: Fall of feudalism, birth of capitalism New class of bourgeoisie Contra: Absolutism and feudal privilegesPro: Constitutional/representative government; Laissez-fair capitalism with no State intervention.


Principles: Individualism Freedom Rationalism Equality Tolerance Agreement Constitutionalism


John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Paine, Maynard Keynes, contemporaries.

Classical Liberalism, Social Liberalism, Contemporary Liberalism (American, German, other)


Conservatism – the highest value is given to loyalty, tradition, authority, order and stability.

Historical context: Reaction to revolutionary movement of the XVIII century Old class of aristocracy and royalty Contra: ReformPro: ancien regime “Change in order to conserve”


Principles: Tradition Pragmatism Imperfection of human nature Hierarchy Authority Government


Edmund Burke, Joseph de Maistre, Samuel Huntington, contemporaries.

Classical Conservatism, New right, Neo-conservatism


Socialism – the highest value is given to social community, justice, equality.

Historical context: Reaction to the industrialization New class of workersContra: CapitalismPro: Reform/revolution Common ownership


Principles: Collectivism Social equality and justice Cooperation and brotherhood Monolithic society without classes Public property


Karl Marx; Friedrich Engels; Vladimir Lenin; Leon Trotsky, contemporaries.

Marxism, Communism, Social democracy, New Left

Spectrum?!


Radical (goal and means) political ideologies Anarchism

Fascism

Nazism

Religious fundamentalism

Discussion

Uses and misuses of Political Ideas and Ideologies?

Intellectual influences on Political leaders.

Influences on Political thinkers: family, mentors, jail… other?

Political Science

Documents

Transcript of Political Science