1. What is Political Science?

Political science is the systematic study of the state and government. The word political is derived
from the Greek word polis, meaning city, or what today would be the equivalent of a sovereign state.
The word science comes from the Latin word scire, to know.
1. The science of politics, therefore, has, as its formal object, a basic knowledge and understanding of
the state and of the principles and ideals which underlie its organization and activities.
2. It is primarily concerned with the association of human beings into a body politic, or a political
community (one organized under government and law).
3. As such, it deals with those relations among men and groups which are subject to control by the
state, with the relations of men and groups to the state itself, and with the relations of the state to
other states.

Political Science is the systematic study of government, politics and political behaviour. It studies
how a society governs itself at all levels and various ideas about how it should be governed in the future.

Political Science is that part of social science which deals with the foundations of the state and
the principles of the government. According to J W Garner, Politics begins and ends with the state.
Similarly, R G Gettel wrote that Politics is the study of the state in the past, present and future. Harold
J Laski stated in the same vein that the study of Politics concerns itself with the life of men and women
in relation to organized state.

As a social science, political science focuses on group power, the how and why of collective
decision-making. Hence it leads us to consider the ethics of power, which in turn involves conceptions of
community, identity, justice and citizenship. Under the banner of political science we gather the study of
democracy, war, law, rights, wealth, and authority, as well as the institutions that shape and secure
them.

2. Scope of Political Science

The scope of Political Science implies its area of study or subject matter. It is a very comprehensive and
expanding social science. An attempt was made by the International Political Science.

Association in Paris in 1948 to delineate its scope. It classified the same into four zones, namely, Political
Theory, Political Institution, Political Dynamics and International Relations. We may attempt to describe
its scope as follows.

1. Political Theory:

It deals with the definition and meaning of fundamental concepts of Political Science like state,
government, law, liberty, equality, justice, sovereignty, separation of powers, methods of
representation, forms of government, grounds of political obligation and various ideologies.

A clear understanding of these basic terms and concepts is essential for the study of Political Science. A
student of Political Science must start his lessons with political theory.

2. Political Philosophy:

It is concerned with the theoretical and speculative consideration of the fundamental principles used by
Political Science. Eminent political philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke,
Rousseau, Hegel, Mill, Marx, and Gandhi have expressed their views on nature, functions and ends of
the state and government.

On the basis of their ideas, political theory defines political concepts. An important function of political
philosophy has been to project values and ideals which political institutions strive hard to attain.

3. Political Institutions:

It is also concerned with the study of formal political institutions such as the state and the instrument
through which it acts the government. Hence, the scope of Political Science extends to the study of the
organisation and working of formal institutions like the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, and
in these days, of the electorate and even the administration.

The study of constitutions and political institutions of various countries (comparative politics) enables
the political scientists to evolve sound and workable principles for the conduct of government.

4. Political Dynamics:

The term refers to the forces and processes at work in government and politics. They influence and
explain political action. They include the study of political parties, pressure groups, interest groups,
lobbies, public opinion, propaganda and political semantics (meaning of words) which influence and
manipulate political behaviour and attitudes of individuals and groups.

More recently, there has been a trend to extend the scope of Political Science into new areas of
empirical investigation into political behaviour. Drawing upon the resources of other social sciences,
Political Science has developed not only new techniques of analysis but new concepts like political
culture, political socialisation and political communication to explain political phenomena.

5. Public Administration:

Public Administration is a major branch of Political Science and is emerging as an independent discipline
in recent times. It deals with the organization, control and coordination of administrative machinery,
personnel administration, financial administration, public relations, management, administrative law
and adjudication etc. It also covers the study of local self-governing institutions like corporations,
municipalities and Panchayati Raj institutions.

6. International Relations and International Law:

International Law is a body of general principles and specific rules which regulate the relationship
among states and international institutions. The study of international relations is a growing area of
Political Science.

It covers such important subjects as diplomacy, international politics, foreign policies and international
organizations. In view of world peace, cooperation and even 'world government,' the need for strong
international laws and sound international relations can hardly be exaggerated.

7. Relation between the State and the Individual:

The perennial and central problem, with which Political Science is concerned, is to establish proper
relationship between the state and individuals. The state guarantees certain rights and freedoms to
individuals and regulates their conduct and action through the legal system.
The proper adjustment between the authority and power of the state and liberty of the individuals is a
knotty problem. Political Science deals with the proper sphere of state action, the limits of political
control and the area of individual freedom.

Thus, the scope of Political Science has been expanding in recent times. The social life of man has a
direct or indirect influence on his political life. Political Science enters any sphere of life which has
political implications.

Modern Political Science in the era of post- behaviouralism deals with both empirical facts and value
preferences. It is a combination of both science and philosophy. Hence it is a dynamic social science and
its scope is ever expanding.

8. Public administration

In the study of public administration, attention is focused upon the methods and techniques used in the
actual management of state affairs by executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. As the
complexity of government activities grows, the traditional distinctions among the powers of these
branches become even less clear-cut . Today, legislative bodies have been forced to delegate greater
discretion to executive officers responsible for the conduct of government policies and powers. Thus, we
find many administrative agencies exercising quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers, i.e., powers
which are legislative (see Art. VI, Sec. 1) and judicial (see Art. VIII, Sec. 1) in nature. Administrative law,
already referred to, also falls within the scope of any broad study of public administration.

3. Function and Importance of Political Science

The function of political science is to discover the principles that should be adhered to in public affairs
and to study the operations of government in order to demonstrate what is good, to criticize what bad
or inefficient, and to suggest improvements.

Its findings and conclusions may be of immense practical use to constitution-markers, legislators,
executives, and judges who need models or norms that can be applied to immediate situations. Again,
they may be of immense practical use to individuals who seek to understand that state in which they
live.

The study of political science deals also with problems of social welfare, governmental economic
programs, international cooperation, and a wide range of other matters that are urgent concern to
public officials and to private citizens.

The importance of political science is that, without it, world governments would be stagnate and
government systems would never improve. This is crucial because governments are central to
civilization. Without them, mankind would regress.

1. Imparting Knowledge of the State: Knowledge about the State is of great significance to modern
man.

2. Imparting Knowledge of government and administration: The administrators, political leaders and
diplomats, who conduct the affairs of the State, also require sound knowledge of Political Science in
order to perform their functions with efficiency. An administrator who has no knowledge of Political
Science is bound to be; i failure. The principles and norms established In the scholars in political science
are of immense utility and value to the executives, legislators and judges. Political science is said to be a
science of statesmanship and leadership.
3. Imparting Knowledge about the world: However, apart from these utilitarian considerations, the
acquisition of know ledge of political science enriches one's mind and widens one's intellectual horizon.
In order to know what is happening in the world around us at least an elementary knowledge of political
science is necessary. In the modern age an individual cannot lead an isolated life. Each country has to
maintain relations with other countries of the world.

4. Creation of democratic values: The study of Political Science has assumed special importance in
modern times in all democratic countries. The success of democracy depends upon the political
consciousness of its people. The study of political science makes people conscious of their rights and
duties. It also makes them vigilant unless the citizens of a country are vigilant, alert, intelligent and
patriotic; there is no possibility of successful working of democracy in that country. It is rightly said that
"eternal vigilance is the price of liberty".

5. Creation of good citizenship: The study of Political Science is valuable for creating good citizenship
and securing unity of the nation. It makes citizens conscious of national, objectives and goals. Laski said
that good citizenship implies "the contribution of one's instructed judgment to public good". It can be
developed by the study of political science. Political Science teaches the lessons and virtues of good
citizenship.

6. Lesson of co-operation and toleration: Political science also teaches the lesson of co-operation,
adjustment and toleration. Society cannot prosper without co-operation. Man should learn how to co-
operate and adjust himself with his fellow-beings. People of all walks of life should co-operate for the
better development of the country. Toleration is also necessary in society.

4. What is a State?

A state is a community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of
territory, having a government of their own to which the great body of inhabitants render obedience,
and enjoying freedom from external control.

The Philippines is a state.

5. Elements of State

The modern state has four (4) essential elements. They are:
1. People. This refers to the inhabitants living within the state. Without people there can be no
functionaries to govern and no subjects to be governed. There is no requirement as to the number of
people that should compose a state. Ideally, it should be neither too small nor too large: small enough
to be well-governed and large enough to be self-sufficing. Reputedly the smallest state in point of
population is the Vatican. Its estimated 900 citizens, mainly clerics and some Swiss guards, are ruled by
Pope. The island Republic of Nauru has a total population of only about 9,000. China is the largest
in point of population placed at 1,314,480,000 at the end of 2006 according to Chinas National Bureau
of Statistics. The Philippines is estimated to have a population of about 88,574,614 as of
August 1, 2007, 18 composed mostly of Malays and Chinese;

2. Territory. It includes not only the fixed portion of land over which the jurisdiction of the state
extends (territorial domain), but also the rivers and lakes therein, a certain area of the sea which abuts
upon its coasts (fluvial and maritime domain), and the air space above the land and the waters. (Aerial
domain). Thus the domain of the state may be described as terrestrial, fluvial, maritime, and aerial. The
smallest state in point of territory is Vatican, located just outside the western boundary of Rome with an
area of only 0.17 square mile or 0.44 square kilometer. It would fit in Rizal Park in Manila. It is the
smallest independent nation in the world. The Republic of Nauru has an area of about 8 square miles or
21 square kilometers. The former Soviet Union19 was the largest state in point or territory with
its total land area of about 8,599,610 square miles or 22,273,674 square kilometers. Canada has an area
of about 3,849,674 square miles or about 9,970,610 square kilometers which covers a surface nearly as
large as Europe. The Philippines has a total land area of about 115,813 square miles or about 299,955
square kilometers;

3. Government. It refers to the agency through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed
and carried out. The word is sometimes used to refer to the person or aggregate of those persons in
whose hands are placed for the time being the function of political control. This body of men is usually
spoken of as administration. The ordinary citizens of a country are a part of the state., but are
not part of the government; and

4. Sovereignty. The term may be defined as the supreme power of the state to command and enforce
obedience to its will from people within its jurisdiction and corollarily, to have freedom from foreign
control. It has, therefore, two manifestations:
(a) Internal or the power of the state to rule within its territory; and
(b) External or the freedom of the state to carry out its activities without
subjection to or control by other states. External sovereignty is often referred to
as independence.These internal and external aspects of sovereignty are not absolutely true in
practice because of the development of international relations and consequently, of
international law.

6. Origin of States
There are several theories concerning the origin of states, among which are:
1. Divine right theory. It holds that the state is of divine creation and the ruler is ordained by God to
govern the people. Reference has been made by advocates of this theory to the laws which Moses
received at Mount Sinai;
2. Necessity or force theory. It maintains that states must have been created through force, by some
great warriors who imposed their will upon the weak;
3. Paternalistic theory. It attributes the origin of states to the enlargement of the family which
remained under the authority of the father or mother. By natural stages, the family grew into a clan,
then developed into a tribe which broadened into a nation, and the nation became a state; and
4. Social contract theory. It asserts that the early states must have been formed by deliberate and
voluntary compact among the people to form a society and organize government for their common
good. This theory justifies the right of the people to revolt against a bad ruler. It is not known exactly
which of the above theories is the correct one. History, however, has shown that the elements of all the
theories have played an important part in the formation and development of states.

7. Give the difference between State and Nation

1. The state is a political concept, while nation is an ethnic concept. A nation is a group of people bound
together by certain characteristics such as common social origin, language, customs, and traditions, and
who believe that they are one and distinct from others. The term is more strictly synonymous with
people;
2. A state is not subject to external control while nation may or may not be independent of external
control; and
3. A single state may consist of one or more nations or peoples and conversely, a single nation may be
made up of several states. The United States is a melting pot of several nationalities. On the other hand,
the Arab nation is divided politically into several sovereign states. Among them are: Egypt, Saudi Arabia,
Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and others. The Philippines is a state composed of one nation.
4. In common usage, however, the two terms are often used synonymously. The Constitution uses them
interchangeably.

Points of Difference between State and Nation:

1. The elements of State and Nation are different: The State has four elementspopulation, territory,
government, and sovereignty. In the absence of even one element, a State cannot be really a State. A
state is always characterised by all these four elements. On the contrary, a nation is a group of people
who have a strong sense of unity and common consciousness.
Common territory, common race, common religion, common language, common history, common
culture and common political aspirations are the elements which help the formation of a nation, and yet
none of these is an absolutely essential element. The elements which go to build a nation keep on
changing.

2. State is a Political Organization while Nation is a social, cultural, psychological, emotional and political
unity: The State is a political organization which fulfills the security and welfare needs of its people. It is
concerned with external human actions. It is a legal entity. On the other hand, a Nation is a united unit
of population which is full of emotional, spiritual and psychological bonds. A nation has little to do with
the physical needs of the people.

3. The State uses police power (force) for preserving its unity and integrity, the Nation is bound by
strong cultural and historical links: State has police power. Those who dare to disobey it are punished by
the state. A nation does not have police power or force or coercive power. It is backed by moral,
emotional and spiritual power. A nation survives on the power of sense of unity of the people. A nation
appeals, the State orders; a nation persuades, a States coerces; and a nation boycotts, the State
punishes. State is a political organization, while the nation is a unity.

State and nation do not have the same boundaries, and yet there is a tendency for a nation and state to
be one. Most of the nations today stand organized into different states. Most of the modern States are
multinational States. The modern state is called a nation-state because all the (nationalities) living in one
state stand integrated into one nation.

8. Give the difference between State and Nation

In common speech, they are usually regarded as identical. As ordinarily, the acts of the government
(within the limits of the delegation of powers) are the acts of the state, the former is meant when the
latter is mentioned, and vice versa. The government is only the agency through which the states
articulate its will. The former is the agent, the latter is the principal. A state cannot exist without a
government, but it is possible to have a government without a state. Thus, we had various governments
at different periods of our history, from pre-Spanish times to the present. There was no Philippine state
during those periods when we were under foreign domination. A government may change, its form may
change, but the state, as long as its elements are present, remains the same.

Some of the main differences between state and government are as follows:
1. Government is only an element of the state: A State has four essential elementsPopulation,
Territory, Government and Sovereignty. Government is only one element of the State. It is just one part
of the State which acts for the state.
2. Sovereignty belongs to State and not to Government: Sovereignty is the hallmark of the State. It
belongs to the State. The government exercises power on behalf of the State. It acts on the basis of the
sovereignty of the State. Sovereignty is comprehensive, absolute, unlimited and all inclusive supreme
power of the State. The government exercises only well defined and limited powers.
3. Territory belongs to the State: The State has sovereign ownership and jurisdiction over its territory.
State is a territorial entity and territory belongs to it. The government has the responsibility to preserve,
protect and defend the territory of the State. The laws made by the government are applicable to all
parts of the territory of State but territory belongs to the State and not to the government.

9. Forms of Government
The principal forms are the following:

1. As to number of persons exercising sovereign powers:

(a) Monarchy or one in which the supreme and final authority is in the hands of a single person without
regard to the source of his election of the nature or duration of his tenure. Monarchies are further
classified into:

1) Absolute monarchy or one in which the ruler rules by divine right; and
2) Limited monarchy or one in which the ruler rules in accordance with a constitution;

(b) Aristocracy or one in which political power is exercised by a few privileged class which is known as an
aristocracy or oligarchy; and
(c) Democracy or one in which political power is exercised by a majority of the people. Democratic
governments are further classified into:

1) Direct or pure democracy or one in which the will of the state is formulated or expressed directly and
immediately through the people in a mass meeting or primary assembly rather through the medium of
delegates or representatives chosen to act for them; and
2) Indirect, representative, or republican democracy or one in which the will of the state is formulated
and expressed through the agency of a relatively small and select body of persons chosen by the people
to act as their representatives.

2. As to extent of powers exercised by the central or national government:

(a) Unitary government or one in which the control of national and local affairs is exercised by the
central or national government; and
(b) Federal government or one in which the powers of government are divided between two sets of
organs, one for national affairs and the other local affairs, each organ being supreme within its own
sphere. The United States is a federal government.

3. As to relationship between the executive and the legislative branches of the

government:
(a) Parliamentary government or one in which the state confers upon the legislature the power to
terminate the tenure of office of the real executive. Under this system, the Cabinet or ministry is
immediately and legally responsible to the legislature and immediately or politically responsible to the
electorate, while the titular or nominal executive the Chief of State occupies a position of
irresponsibility; and
(b) Presidential government or in one in which the state makes the executive constitutionally
independent of the legislature as regards his tenure and to a large extent as regards his policies and
acts, and furnishes him with sufficient powers to prevent the legislature from trenching upon the sphere
marked out by the constitution as executive independence and prerogative.