Political Science 120

Mr. Spencer

WHAT IS POLITICS?

• The struggle for power and the management of conflict.

• The governing of a political entity, such as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal and external affairs.

 

Etymological Definition

• Greek –– Has its origins in Ancient Greece. All city states were

referred to as polis

• Latin –– Politicus was an adjective that was used to describe

anything “of the state”

Or does it mean:

• Poli in latin means “many”• Tics means “blood sucking parasites”

WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE?

• Study of how people come together with other people to create an organized, stable existence.

• It is the study of:• who has the power? • How did they get the power? • What are they doing with the power? • How can it be taken from them?

WHERE DO WE SEE POLITICS?

• Provinces• Communities• National level• Schools• Organizations• etc

WHY STUDY IT?

• To be informed and to know an individual’s role, if any.

• To think about your political stance.

• To understand who has and who does not have power and what powers or rights.

POLITICAL TERMINOLOGY

“Canadian government might be described as federal rather than unitary, limited monarchy

rather than republic, parliamentary rather than presidential, democratic rather than

authoritarian, bicameral rather than unicameral, and usually majority rather than minority.”

Key Canadian Political terms

• Bicameral• Cabinet• Charter• Conservative• Constitution• Democracy

• Ideology• Left/right wing• Liberal• Monarchy• Proportional Rep.• Republic

• Responsible Gov.• Republic• Unitary• Federalism• Unitary• Government• Governor General

Key Political player in Canada and Abroad

• List some of the key players in Canadian politics throughout the past and today as well.

• Who are some of the major international players throughout history and today?

Key Players

• Brian Gallant• Barak Obama• Stephen Harper• Hosni Mubarak - Egypt• Momar Kadafi - Libya• Benito Mussolini - Italy• Bashar al-Assad - Syria

• Kim Jong Il• Fidel Castro• Josef Tito• John A Macdonald• William Lyon MacKenzie

King• Adolf Hitler