politics chapter 1
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What is politics as the art of government?
Politics is what happens in government, parliaments, and public institutions.
Main criticism of politics as the art of government?
Too narrow—ignores politics in everyday life and non-state activities.
What is politics as public affairs?
Politics is activity in the public sphere (laws, state, institutions), separate from private life.
Feminist critique of “politics as public affairs”?
“The personal is political”—gender relations, family, and private life are also political.
What is politics as compromise and consensus?
Politics is resolving conflict through negotiation, discussion, and peaceful agreement.
What is the criticism of politics as consensus?
Ignores power inequalities and coercion in politics.
What is politics as power and distribution?
Politics is about “who gets what, when, how” (Lasswell); struggle over power and resources.
What did Aristotle mean by calling humans zoon politikon?
Humans are “political animals”; politics is pursuit of the good life in community.
What was Machiavelli’s view of politics?
Politics is statecraft and power; rulers may use cunning and force (The Prince).
How did Hobbes justify politics?
Politics arises to escape the violent state of nature; requires strong sovereign power.
What was John Locke’s political theory?
Politics protects natural rights (life, liberty, property) and is based on consent.
Rousseau’s key contribution to politics?
Politics should express the “general will”; people should rule collectively.
How did Karl Marx define politics?
Politics reflects class struggle; the state serves the ruling class.
What is Max Weber’s famous definition of the state?
The state is the institution with a monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force.
What were Weber’s 3 types of authority?
Traditional, charismatic, legal-rational.
Harold Lasswell’s definition of politics?
Politics is “who gets what, when, how.”
Feminist contribution to defining politics?
Politics extends to private life; power relations in family and gender are political.
Why is politics considered a “contested concept”?
Because different traditions (liberal, feminist, Marxist, realist, pluralist) define politics differently—government, power, consensus, distribution—each reflecting ideological bias.
Compare “politics as the art of government” with “politics as power.”
The first is narrow, institutional, focused on formal decision-making; the latter is broad, including informal struggles, domination, and resource allocation.
How does the “public/private” divide shape definitions of politics?
Liberals treat politics as public life, protecting individual freedom in private. Feminists reject this divide, showing private power relations (patriarchy, family) are deeply political.
In what sense is politics “the master science” according to Aristotle?
Because it organizes all other sciences towards the common good and determines how society achieves the “good life.”
Why is defining politics as “consensus” criticized by radical theorists?
It assumes equal bargaining power, ignoring structural domination and coercion (e.g. class exploitation, patriarchy, racism).
How does Hobbes’ “state of nature” justify absolute authority, while Locke’s justifies limited government?
Hobbes sees humans as violent, requiring sovereign control; Locke sees humans as reasonable, needing government only to protect rights and property.
In what way does Rousseau’s “general will” challenge liberal individualism?
It prioritizes collective self-rule over individual rights, suggesting true freedom comes from obedience to laws one prescribes to oneself as part of the community.