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.
Ideas and Ideologies
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!!!
Ideas and Ideologies
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”
Ideas and Ideologies
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
Ideas and Ideologies
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
Ideas and Ideologies
Political philosophy of the Renaissance - the First divide?
Anthropocentrism (Prometheus as a central theme)
National state vs. monarchy and empireAbsolute secular powerMachiavelli, Hobbes?
Ideas and Ideologies
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
Ideas and Ideologies
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.
Ideas and Ideologies
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.
Ideas and Ideologies
Principles: Individualism Freedom Rationalism Equality Tolerance Agreement Constitutionalism
Ideas and Ideologies
John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Paine, Maynard Keynes, contemporaries.
Classical Liberalism, Social Liberalism, Contemporary Liberalism (American, German, other)
Ideas and Ideologies
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”
Ideas and Ideologies
Principles: Tradition Pragmatism Imperfection of human nature Hierarchy Authority Government
Ideas and Ideologies
Edmund Burke, Joseph de Maistre, Samuel Huntington, contemporaries.
Classical Conservatism, New right, Neo-conservatism
Ideas and Ideologies
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
Ideas and Ideologies
Principles: Collectivism Social equality and justice Cooperation and brotherhood Monolithic society without classes Public property
Ideas and Ideologies
Karl Marx; Friedrich Engels; Vladimir Lenin; Leon Trotsky, contemporaries.
Marxism, Communism, Social democracy, New Left
Spectrum?!
Ideas and Ideologies
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?
Top Related