...How politics shaped the Constitution? Since the beginning of the colonial period, historians can easily see various political characteristics that became influential in the development of America. The original thirteen colonies acquired enough experience with self-governing and this led to the formation of autonomous states. At a failing attempt to unify, the Articles of Confederation were created for the young nation. Still, soon enough they proved to be useless for the states. As a result, the most promising politicians, lawyers and elite, gathered at the Philadelphia Convention to “reform” the Articles of Confederation. Yet, at the end, they convince themselves with the idea that for the well being of the people they had to create a new constitution. This Constitution was influenced by the political ideas of the Enlightenment and the political interest of the states and. Also, the political interest of the evolving society which led to a series of amendments that shaped the Constitution of the United States. The political ideas of the Enlightenment impacted many places; yet, the best results were found in America. The philosopher John Locke was very influential to the founding fathers and some of his political ideas are engraved in the constitution. An excellent example is found in the Second Treaties of Government were Lock talks about the dark human nature and how it is necessary to for a group of elite to come together and form a government in order to...
Words: 646 - Pages: 3
...CSS 105 COURSE GUIDE COURSE GUIDE CSS105 INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE Course Developer Dr. Derin K. Ologbenla University Of Lagos Akoka – Lagos. Dr. Derin K. Ologbenla Course Writer University Of Lagos Akoka – Lagos. Course Co-ordinator Dr. Godwin Ifidon Oyakhiromen National Open University of Nigeria Lagos. NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA ii CSS 105 COURSE GUIDE National Open University of Nigeria Headquarters 14/16 Ahmadu Bello Way Victoria Island Lagos Abuja Annex 245 Samuel Adesujo Ademulegun Street Central Business District Opposite Arewa Suites Abuja e-mail: centralinfo@nou.edu.ng URL: www.nou.edu.ng National Open University of Nigeria 2006 First Printed 2006 ISBN: 978-058-434-X All Rights Reserved Printed by Goshen Print Media Ltd For National Open University of Nigeria iii CSS 105 COURSE GUIDE Contents Introduction......................................................................... Aims................................................................................... Objectives........................................................................... Working through the Course.............................................. Course Materials................................................................ Study Units........................................................................ Textbooks and References.................................................. Assessment.......................................
Words: 55473 - Pages: 222
...Edexcel AS Politics Edexcel AS Politics ExamBuster 2009 Introduction to Unit 1- People and Politics Understanding the Examination and Exam Technique Choosing your questions In this unit you are presented with four questions. They are of equal value and each question covers one of the four sections of the specification. These are: Democracy and political participation Party policies and ideas Elections Pressure groups There is no significance to the order in which questions appear. Each question is divided into three sections (a), (b) and (c). When choosing which questions to do, the following principles are recommended: It is almost certain that you will be better off choosing your strongest question to do first. You should choose questions on the basis of how well you can answer the section (c) part. The (c) part carries 25 of the 40 marks available for the whole answer. Do not choose a question simply because you can do part (a) especially well. The (a) question is only worth 5 marks. It would be illogical to choose your strongest (a) part if you cannot do well on section (c). If you cannot decide between several (c) parts, i.e. you can do more than one equally well, make your choice on the basis of part (b) which carries 10 marks. But remember, it is the (c) parts that will determine most what your overall mark will be. So, when you first look at the exam paper, look at the (c) sections first. Assessment Objectives Each question is divided into three sections,...
Words: 51996 - Pages: 208
...Name: Tutor: Course: Date: The Role of Women in Kuwaiti Politics Introduction Kuwait is a rapidly growing modernizing country where women enjoy a number of similar social and civil rights that men do enjoy. The country has gone through numerous economic, political, and social developments throughout the 20th century. Regardless of this, rulers in Kuwait continue to cherish that fact that Kuwait can be a developed nation with its traditionally organized formation. The people of Kuwait dream that “Kuwait can be simultaneously a "developed" country and a "traditional" tribally organized” (Tetreault 204, p. 203). Social formation run by an autocratic ruler Rulers such as Emir Mubarak consolidated the power of ruling Sabah family against merchant clans that dominated before. More, the ruler made sure that his autocratic reign could go beyond his descendants after his death. In the reign of Emir Abdullah al-Salim, policies, which strengthened social forces in Kuwait, were emphasized. In as much as women enjoy similar social and civil rights as men, they are deprived of several political rights that men enjoy. Whereas they are entitled to take part as voters as well as candidates in the administration of local cooperatives stores, they are offered with the chance to run for national legislature/vote for its members. In the month of May, 1999, the emir of Kuwait promulgated a decree that offered women with the right to vote and for public office in municipal and parliamentary...
Words: 2416 - Pages: 10
...WOMEN IN POLITICS AND PUBLIC LIFE IN GHANA By Beatrix Allah Mensah AUTHOR: Beatrix Allah-Mensah Department of Political Science University of Ghana, Legon ISBN: 9988-572-87-5 © Copyright Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, Accra Published in 2005 Printed & designed by O´Mens Graphix, Accra, Tel.:021-238098 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all those who made this project a success. First, I give glory to the Almighty God for bringing me this far in my academic and professional pursuit. Secondly, I express my thanks to all my lecturers in the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, who have nurtured me onto this path of professional and academic life. Thirdly, I am grateful to all our key informant interviewees from all the institutions/ministries/political parties who gave us their time and valuable information used for this study. Fourthly, I wish to sincerely acknowledge the contribution of my research assistants, Alfred Appiah and Nimingah Beka, national service personnel of the Department of Political Science for their dedicated service during the data collection. Finally, I would like to express my thanks to the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) for commissioning this study and giving me the opportunity to carry it out with financial and institutional support. I would like to state that, except for quotations or references which have been dully acknowledged, this is the result of a research I conducted personally. God Bless all...
Words: 36172 - Pages: 145
...“Political science is important because politics is important.” Political science as so called is a particular, practical human science that deals with the study of social relationships involving power or man in society in the context of a state. Politics usually describes the processes by which people and institutions exercise and resist power. Political processes are used to formulate policies, influence individuals and institutions, and organize societies. Man is a social being, a rational creature, without man there is no politics. He has spiritual faculties of intellect and will, and characteristics of spirituality, freedom, individuality, equality and sociability. These characteristics brought man his dignity; therefore, he needs to be respected. In order for him to be respected he must have rights but man must also have a duty to the rights of others. Having other men implies a society. Power is the condition of controlling objects. In politics these objects are men and are equal to the one who is exerting power or the one who is authorized to. Authority demands the right to rule with a corresponding obedience; thus, implies a state. Furthermore it implies a government as an agent of power and exercise political law or sovereignty. Science in its simplest sense means the orderly and systematic study of things through their causes by using a methodology. Man, identified as the most intelligent mammal, with him alone there is no society. Society brings up a government...
Words: 563 - Pages: 3
...WHAT IS POLITICS? Why do we have to be interested in politics? If you’re not, others will influence the decisions that govern your lives. For example, who decides to declare war, to fix taxes….Ignorant is manipulated. Aristotle, the founder of the discipline, called politics the “master science”: he meant that almost everything happens in a political context. For example, politics is connected to economics: suppose a hurricane or earthquake strikes a country, in this case it is the political system that decides for example which victims to aid. The disaster is natural, but its impact on society is controlled by politics. Politics may be immoral: we have a misuse of power, corruption…. But even if we don’t like these features, we have to understand how things go on: how A gets B to do what A wants. This is what Political Science tries to explain. Political Science is related to the other social sciences: - History: it’s an important source of data for political scientists (if we analyze the Cold War (1947-1989), we have to know the events so history). But the data are handled differently: political scientists look for generalizations, historians for details. - Geography: physical and human (ethnic areas, regions …….) - Economics: many political quarrels are economic. A good economic development may be the basis for democracy, only few poor countries are democratic. - Sociology: Political Science starts by looking at society to see “who thinks what”about politics. For example...
Words: 786 - Pages: 4
...ethical foundations of politics. Furthermore, it included an introduction to political ideologies with a focus on the democratic ones. Moreover, it showcased the development of the modern state, along with some key concepts in politics such as constitutions and processes such as pressure groups and social movements. Before engaging in comparing political systems, it is imperative to be aware of the comparison methodology used for this kind of social science. The scientific method used in social sciences is based on the empirical method which includes several steps, of which the most important are: the formulation of the hypotheses after asking curious questions related to a topic of interest - the data collection - the data analysis - the results’ interpretation related to the questions raised. Looking at the political attitudes of people under a specific political system helps to understand the political systems, but what is the reason behind that? Simply because looking at the political attitude of every individual might prove itself to be impossible, so social scientists started analyzing the general trend in the political attitudes of people and put it under a certain framework making it easier to link to the political system and to interpret it. While looking at the political attitudes under a certain regime, we might notice some differences that rise from a system to another. For example, to what extent people are discussing politics and how important it...
Words: 1054 - Pages: 5
...Politics, Government and Constitution Political Science – is the systematic study of the state and the government. It is a social science regarding the practice and theory of politics, the analysis of political systems and the study of political behavior. POLITICS - the science of government and the art on practice of administering public affairs. GOVERNMENT An institution, over which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and carried out. It serves as an organizing force over the state’s subjects. STATE State is a community of persons more or else numerous, permanently occupying a definite, portion of territory, independent of external control and possessing an organized government to which the great body of its inhabitants render habitual obedience (De Leon, 2000) Difference between the State and the Government - The state is a continuing entity, while the government may completely disappear without destroying the state. - The government is an instrument or agency through which the will of the state is articulated and expressed. Difference between State and Nation * State is a political and legal concept. * Nation is an ethnic concept. A nation is a group of people bound together by certain characteristics such as common social origin, language, customs, traditions, and who believe that they are one and distinct from others. * A single State may consist of one or more nations or peoples and conversely, a single nation may be made up...
Words: 395 - Pages: 2
...Введение в Политологию Программа учебного курса Российская экономическая школа, совместный бакалавриат РЭШ-ВШЭ, весенний семестр 2014 года (64 часа в аудитории) Преподаватель – Балалаева Дина Яновна, Ph.D. Занятия: лекция - среда, 15:10-16:30, семинар- 13:40-15:00 Консультации – TBA Компетенции, формируемые в результате освоения дисциплины: В результате освоения дисциплины студент должен обладать следующими общекультурными (ОК) и профессиональными компетенциями (ПК): ОК-4, ПК-8, ПК-9 Общий объем аудиторных часов – 64 в том числе: лекции – 32 часа. практические занятия - 32 часа. Промежуточный контроль – статья. Краткая аннотация Данный курс по «Сравнительной политологии» охватывает наиболее важные темы дисциплины и прослеживает развитие методологии от сравнительных кейс-стади до крупномасштабных межвременных исследований и экспериментов на местах. Почему, в среднем, самые богатые страны – демократии? Или, заимствуя вопрос Л. Даймонда (2010), почему мир не знает ни одной арабской демократии? Почему авторитаризм не помешал (помог?) «азиатским тиграм»? Насколько устойчивы гибриды? В чем «секрет эффективности» парламентской формы правления? Почему страны с пропорциональной системой выборов больше тратят на социальные расходы, чем страны с мажоритарной формулой? Производят ли федерации больше технологических инноваций, чем унитарные государства? Каково оптимальное...
Words: 5430 - Pages: 22
...Before taking PLSC 112 this summer, my knowledge and views of the American government and politics were very limited. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I have always been a little ignorant when it came to knowledge about the government or political issues, but have always wished that I knew more, especially with the economic problems we are facing today. I never really did form many political opinions, one way or the other. I vote every election, but never really understand the bigger picture at hand. Such as, all the issues that a candidate stands for or the impact of proposals on the government. When people around me have conversations about American politics, I am embarrassed that I either do not understand what they are saying, or cannot add to the conversation because I don’t know what to say. I guess you could say that I have always been a little cynical when it came to politics. Part of this reason is because I have always felt that the political game played in American politics was just a bunch of people talking baloney, making empty promises, trash talking their opponents, and trying to persuade people to think their way. And whoever does this the best wins, end of story. I’ve always known that there was more to American politics that this, but never really tried to find out more. So, when I signed up for this class, I wanted to shed my ignorance and learn more about my government and how it operated. I am proud to say that my knowledge of our government has been expanded...
Words: 2201 - Pages: 9
...today follow the democratic form of government. Democracy depends on the following conditions (i) co-existence of ideas and of parties; (ii) the right to free discussion; (iii) universal adult suffrage; and (iv) periodic elections. Indian is the largest democracy in the world. The Constitution of Indian was enforced on 26 January, 1950. It ushered in the age pf democracy. India became a democratic republic infused with the spirit of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. The Preamble, the Directive Principles of State Policy and the Fundamental Rights reflect the Indian ideology as well as the caste, creed, religion, property, or sex have the right to cast their vote. After and election, the majority party or coalition forms the government and its leader become the Prime Minister. Political parties are the vehicles of ideas. Parties act as the bridge between social thought and political decision in democracy. The Indian politics system is a multiparty system. However, gradually politics has become a game of opportunism and corruption. Most political parties are only interested in coming to power. Every party adopts different caste politics. Some try to influence the people thought caste politics. Some try to raise the religious sentiments of the people. The Indian ideology today is...
Words: 853 - Pages: 4
...GOVT 2301 American Government: National, State, and Local I HCCS Southwest College Spring 2012 Sections: CRN 81371, 81372 Campus: Stafford Professor: Larry J. Gonzalez, PhD Room: W114 E-mail: Larry.Gonzalez@hccs.edu Voice: 713.718.6998 Purpose of the Course: Government 2301 is one of two courses designed to introduce students to the study of government in the United States at the national, state, and local levels. This particular survey of the American system of government includes a study of the fundamental principles of political science, the study of the national and state constitutions, methods of participation, and analyzes contemporary policies. This course is fully transferable to all Texas State colleges and universities. Required Texts: O’Connor, Karen, Larry J. Sabato, Alixandra. 2011. American Government: Roots and Reform, Texas Edition. Pearson Education. Paperback Edition/ISBN-13: 978-1-256-28850-3; ISBN-10:1-256-28850-0 Recommended: Study Guides are available on-line to accompany the required texts. Students are also encouraged to follow current political events by reading newspapers and following media news reports. Please refer to instructor’s Learning Web page. Student Notification Statements: 1. Advising and Counseling Services Advising can be accomplished by contacting the Student Associate at 713-718-6879, selection 2, and on-site advising at other HCC locations upon request. Confidential sessions with education counselors...
Words: 1634 - Pages: 7
...Compare and contrast Aristotle’s and Plato’s conception Compare and contrast Aristotle’s and Plato’s conception of the state and political freedom Politics and state have been following people’s society since it was established. Everybody understands that there is impossible to live in the world where there is no order. Every person still appreciates the necessity of state and government even if he or she does not as if the way of ruling is their own country. The problem of state was the topic of researches and thoughts for different famous people of ancient and modern time. Two of the greatest philosophers Aristotle and Plato devoted great part of their philosophic researches to the topic of conception of the state and political freedom. Let us compare and contrast their conceptions. A man named Aristotle who was a Greek Truth-seeker, a logician, and a scientist has a teacher named Plato. Aristotle is widely known as the most prominent olden philosopher in many areas of philosophy, together with political hypothesis. His life appears to have inclined his political notion in different conduct: his biological interest has mixed in his political life. Also, his political interest and his compassion for the democratic system like dominion perhaps have been optimistic by his experience of various political systems; he condemned severely, while borrowing widely, from his teacher’s (Plato) democracy, statesman, and laws; moreover, his own political affairs is proposed to help rulers...
Words: 1123 - Pages: 5
...INTRODUCTION The role of women in politics and public affairs is one of the current governance issues because of the perceived and acknowledged potential and contribution of women to governance processes. Participating effectively and meaningfully in order to have an impact is a process of empowerment that enhances self-worth of individuals and groups at the political level. There is no disputing the fact the number of women is seeing a steady growth from local government level in particular especially in the number of contestants and actual elected women. At the national level, particularly in the legislature, the picture has not seen much significant change since 1996. This reflects strongly in the composition of the membership of standing committees and selected committees of parliament where real debate on legislative issues takes place. Certainly, this affects the contribution of women to the policy making process. At the political party level , although all the parties selected for the study which are the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the People’s National Convention (PNC), the Convention People’s Party (CPP) except for the Great Consolidated People’s Party (GCPP), make claims in their manifestoes to their commitment to gender issues in general and women’s concerns in particular, it is not very evident even in their party leadership structure and in their own internal organization. Some party leaders corroborated this by stating...
Words: 9422 - Pages: 38
