CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

1. POLITICS

To understand why politics is important at both a systemic and individual level;

To assess the meaning of politics;

To identify how politics can be studied;

To evaluate the different approaches to the study of politics.

2. POWER

To Understand the meaning of power;

To assess different interpretations of power;

To identify the components of the exercise of power;

Assess how the exercise of power changes over time;

To evaluate how power is exercised, and the limitations to power.

3. SYSTEMS

 To challenge the assumption that the state is the only legitimate form of political system;

Identify the historical political developments which shape much of our understanding of modern political systems;

Assess the concept of the sovereign nation state;

Evaluate politics beyond the state within deterritorialisation.

4. IDEOLOGIES

 To understand the meaning of ideology;

Assess the development of the key traditional 'isms';

Assess the meaning and relevance of most recent 'isms'.

5. STATES

To assess the relevance of the state;

Identify the different types of state;

Considers the differences and similarities between democratic and autocratic states;

Introduces different levels of the state.

6. GLOBAL

Identify the meaning and importance of globalisation;

Understand some key factors which shape the global political world;

Assess the approaches to international relations;

Evaluate the role of the key actors in global politics.

7. MECHANISMS

Understand how individuals’ rights are maintained;

Assess the application of a separation of powers;

Identify the key institutions of governing in liberal democracies;

Evaluate the role of key ‘actors’ in the political process.

8. POLICIES

Identify some of the problems associated with policy making;

Evaluate how policy is made;

Assess why different policy making processes are used;

Consider the factors which shape a government’s ability to implement their policies.

9. CHALLENGES

Identify the key current issues shaping the future of democratic government;

Consider how the concept of democracy might be evolving;

Assess the applicability of e-democracy and e-representation;

Evaluate the future of political science.