Politics And Government

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Politics And Government

• Mr. Greens American Government

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Politics
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Politics and Government

• Definitions
• Politics
• Political Science
• Bootleggers and Baptists
• The Three Is
• Institutions
• Interests
• Rational Choice
• Marx/Radicals
• Identities
• Nation
• Ideology

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Politics

• Politics Is the Methods, Tools, Procedures,
  Practices, Techniques, and Processes Used By
  Individuals or Groups Seeking, Limiting,
  Acquiring, but Especially Using power.

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Power

• Power Is The Capacity To Effect Outcomes By
  controlling or influencing The Decisions, Acts,
  Or Behavior Of Individuals Or Groups.
• Power Is Acquired By Deploying and Using Ones
  Capabilities, Which Include
• Physical Force and Coercion
• Resources and Wealth
• Persuasion, Leadership, and Charisma
• Political Power Is Power Associated With
  Collective Decisions, Acts and Behavior, i.e..
  Government

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Political Science

• Political Science Is the Systematic empirical
  Study of Government and Governing In Other Word,
  Political Science Studies the Politics of
  Seeking, Limiting, Acquiring, and Using
  Collective Power.

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Empirical

• Knowledge Based On What is Rather That What ought
  To Be.

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Machiavelli, Chapter 15
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Empirical

• Knowledge Based On What is Rather That What ought
  To Be.
• Knowledge Based On The Senses
• What Does Count as Empirical Proof
• Data from repeatable observations and, where
  possible, experiment(s)
• Data that is public
• Data that is available to trained, dispassionate
  observers
• What Does Not Count as Empirical Proof
• higher authority (whether ancient or modern or
  religious or secular), or epiphanies and
  intuitions, or wisdom (conventional or folk), or
  anecdotal evidence.

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Empirical

• Knowledge Based On What is Rather That What ought
  To Be.
• Knowledge Based On The Senses
• Knowledge That Systematically Explains (and
  Predicts)
• Consistent, Abundant, and Observable Evidence
  That Confirms A Testable Theory.
• Aristotle and Ptolemy's Geocentric System
• theory suggested by consistent and abundant
  observations
• theoretical structure the crystalline spheres
• theory confirmed by empirical evidence heavenly
  observations fit with Ptolemys geometry, and
  generated accurate predictions

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Geocentric Theory
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Heliocentric Theory

• Counterfactual Observations
• Copernicus
• Math Simpler in a Sun Centered System
• Galileo
• Telescope, the Moons of Jupiter, and Comets
• Kepler
• Planets Use Elliptical Orbits
• Isaac Newton
• Theoretical Structure Gravity (F M ? A)
• Calculus Prediction
• Confirmed by Abundant Observations

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The Three Is

• Institutions
• Politicians, Law, Groups
• Interests
• Bootleggers
• Identities
• Baptists

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The Bootleggers and the Baptists

• Prohibition
• Coal and Nuclear Power Restrictions
• Protests Against Sweatshops
• Mortgage Interest Deductions

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Institutions

• Ultimately, the Study Of Power Is the Study of
  Who Decides.
• Political Institutions Are the Long Term
  (Established) and Authoritative Offices,
  Structures, Rules, and Procedures For Making
  Collective (Governmental) Decisions.
• Political Institutions Determine Who Decides
• Political Institutions Determine Who Influences
  Who Decides.

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Institutions

• Monarchical Institutions
• The King, Influenced By The Aristocracy and
  Events, Decides
• Dictatorial Institutions
• The Leader, Influenced By The Party and Events,
  Decides.
• Democratic or Republican Institutions
• Decisions Are Contingent on the Constitution and
  Events.

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Model 1, p. 1
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Model 1, p. 2
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Explaining Politics The Three Is

• In All Societies, Individuals and Groups Are
  Observed Seeking, Limiting, Acquiring, and Using
  Their Governing institutions (Politics) So As To
  Influence Policy Outcomes
• Why?
• There Are Two General Theories in Political
  Science
• Individuals and Groups Seek Political Power To
  Advance Their interests
• Individuals and Groups Seek Political Power To
  Protect and/or Enhance Their identities (Values
  or Culture)

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The End