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Course Question & Answer
Introduction to Politics
Purpose of Course showclose
Course Information showclose
Course Designer: Dana R. Schueneman
Primary Resources: This course is comprised of a range of free online materials. However, the course makes primary use of the following materials:
- University of North Carolina, Charlotte: Ken Godwin’s Readings and Lectures
- College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s Lecture Notes
- Unit 3 Assignment
- Final Exam
Time Commitment: This course should take you approximately 113 hours to complete. Each unit includes a “time advisory” that lists the amount of time you are expected to spend on each subunit. These should help you plan your time accordingly. It may be useful to take a look at these time advisories and to determine how much time you have over the next few weeks to complete each unit, and then to set goals for yourself. For example, Unit 1 should take you about 10 hours. Perhaps you can sit down with your calendar and decide to complete subunits 1.1 (a total of 2 hours) on Monday night; subunit 1.2.1 (a total of 4 hours) on Tuesday and Wednesday; subunit 1.2.2 (a total of 3 hours) on Thursday; etc.
Tips/Suggestions: Use the Learning Outcomes, which are broken down under each unit, to help you take notes and look for important information. The questions on the Final Exam will be based on general ideas rather than specifics. As you read, take careful notes on a separate sheet of paper. These notes will be useful to review prior to completing the final exam.
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Learning Outcomes showclose
- Describe and evaluate the concepts of power, legitimacy, and authority.
- Discuss the origins and developments of the nation-state.
- Distinguish between traditional and behavioral approaches to the study of politics.
- Discuss general approaches to the study of politics, such as political philosophy, political systems theory, and political economy.
- Describe and discuss the political socialization process.
- Examine the nature of political participation from a comparative perspective.
- Discuss the nature of public opinion from a comparative perspective.
- Identify the different types of electoral systems and be able to assess the implications of those systems.
- Identify the role and functions of political parties.
- Identify the different types of party systems from a comparative perspective.
- Describe and evaluate the general principles of presidential and parliamentary political systems.
- Describe and compare the essential features of at least three governments of Western Europe.
- Identify and evaluate the principles of authoritarian and totalitarian governments.
- Discuss the concepts of political development and problems facing developing nations.
- Discuss and explain the origins and principles of Democratic Capitalism, Democratic Socialism, Marxist Socialism, National Socialism, Fascism, and third world ideologies.
- Describe the origins, development, and principles of international law.
- Identify and assess the influence of major international organizations.
- Describe and analyze the causes of international conflict.
- Analyze current critical issues in international relationships.
Course Requirements showclose
√ Have access to a computer.
√ Have continuous broadband Internet access.
√ Have the ability/permission to install plug-ins or software (e.g., Adobe Reader or Flash).
√ Have the ability to download and save files and documents to a computer.
√ Have the ability to open Microsoft files and documents (.doc, .ppt, .xls, etc.).
√ Be competent in the English language.
√ Have read the Saylor Student Handbook.
Unit Outline show close
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Unit 1: Politics: Foundational Concepts
Our study of politics will begin with a review of the basic principles of politics and various perspectives on how we define politics and its domain. We will discuss the changing notion of politics over time and across cultures as we work towards a definition.
Unit 1 Time Advisory show close
This unit will lay the framework for the remaining five units in this course. A confident and solid grasp of the principles presented in this unit is therefore crucial to your progression through the remainder of the course. You will find, for example, that each of the five subsequent units will conclude with a discussion of how the principles you have learned and the issues you have identified apply to a contemporary, real-life situation. You will need to draw from the foundational material you have learned in this unit in order to respond to these applied situations.
Unit 1 Learning Outcomes show close
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1.1 What Is Political Science?
- Reading: The Saylor Foundation’s “Introduction to Political Science”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Introduction to Political Science” (PDF)
Instructions: Please read this article, which provides a comprehensive overview of the field of political science, its cross-disciplinary connections, and the various fields and sub-fields of study within the discipline.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Saylor Foundation’s “Introduction to Political Science”
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1.1.1 Definition and Importance of Political Science as a Discipline
Note: This sub-subunit is covered by the reading assigned beneath subunit 1.1. Read the introduction for a definition of political science in addition to the subheading: “Why is the Study of Political Science Important?.”
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1.1.2 Political Science Research and Other Disciplines
Note: This sub-subunit is covered by the reading assigned beneath subunit 1.1. See the subheading “Cross-Disciplinary Connections.”
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1.1.3 Approaches to Political Research
Note: This sub-subunit is covered by the reading assigned beneath subunit 1.1. Focus on the subheading reading “Fields and Sub-Fields in Political Science.”
- 1.2 What Does Political Science Study?
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1.2.1 Concepts of Power, Legitimacy, and Authority
- Reading: Legitimacy and Politics: Jean-Marc Coicaud’s “Introduction”
Link: Legitimacy and Politics: Jean-Marc Coicaud’s “Introduction” (PDF)
Instructions: Go to the above website and click “View Excerpt as PDF” to download a PDF of the book’s introduction. Read pages 1–9. While reading, think about why legitimacy is such a critical component in the ability to govern effectively.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: European Journal of American Studies: Ellen Hallams’s “From Crusader to Exemplar: Bush, Obama and the Reinvigoration of America’s Soft Power”
Link: European Journal of American Studies: Ellen Hallams’s “From Crusader to Exemplar: Bush, Obama and the Reinvigoration of America’s Soft Power” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this article. Dr. Hallam discusses and offers critiques of Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power in contemporary international relations. Hallam questions whether the debate over hard and soft power is outdated, particularly considering the Obama administration’s emerging emphasis on “smart power” and the challenges of national security in an unstable international system.
Reading this article should take approximately 45 minutes.
Terms of Use: This resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 Generic License. It is attributed to Ellen Hallams and the original version can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: DanaWilliams.com: Dana Williams’ “Max Weber: Traditional, Legal-Rational, and Charismatic Authority”
Link: DanaWilliams.com: Dana Williams’ “Max Weber: Traditional, Legal-Rational, and Charismatic Authority” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this article on the three authority types as defined by Max Weber, one of the foremost social theorists of the twentieth century. The jurisdiction of political authority and the balancing of freedom and authority have been core questions from ancient times to the present. In many democratic societies, there is an ongoing discussion regarding the legitimate extent of governmental authority in general. In the United States, for instance, there is a widespread belief that the political system as it was instituted by the Founding Fathers should accord the populace as much freedom as reasonable and that government should limit its authority accordingly.
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- Reading: Legitimacy and Politics: Jean-Marc Coicaud’s “Introduction”
- 1.2.2 Political Economy
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1.2.2.1 It Is All about Economics
- Reading: Jean Jacques Rousseau’s “A Discourse on Political Economy”
Link: Jean Jacques Rousseau’s “A Discourse on Political Economy” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the above link and read this article.
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- Reading: Jean Jacques Rousseau’s “A Discourse on Political Economy”
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1.2.2.2 Who Gets What, When, and How?
- Reading: Harold D. Lasswell’s Politics: Who Gets What, When, How?: “Chapter 1: Elite” and “Chapter 4: Goods”
Link: Harold D. Lasswell’s Politics: Who Gets What, When, How?: “Chapter 1: Elite” and “Chapter 4: Goods” (PDF)
Instructions: Click on the link above and, under the book’s title, read Chapter 1 (Elite) and Chapter 4 (Goods). According to Lasswell’s classic 1935 text, the study of power must include the economic power of business because of the central role it plays in the allocation of resources.
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- Reading: Harold D. Lasswell’s Politics: Who Gets What, When, How?: “Chapter 1: Elite” and “Chapter 4: Goods”
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1.3 Is Political Science a Science?
- Reading: The Guardian: David Wearing’s “How Scientific Is Political Science?”
Link: The Guardian: David Wearing’s “How Scientific Is Political Science?” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article.
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- Reading: The New York Times: Patricia Cohen’s “Field Study: Just How Relevant Is Political Science?”
Link: The New York Times: Patricia Cohen’s “Field Study: Just How Relevant Is Political Science?” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article. Both this and the Wearing article reflect the ongoing debate within academia over the ways in which the study of politics should be conducted.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The Guardian: David Wearing’s “How Scientific Is Political Science?”
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1.4 Political Theory
- Lecture: University of Jyvaskyla: Professor Alan Finlayson’s “Rhetoric, Political Theory, and the Analysis of Political Ideologies”
Link: University of Jyvaskyla: Professor Alan Finlayson’s “Rhetoric, Political Theory, and the Analysis of Political Ideologies” (Flash)
Instructions: Please click the link above and watch this lecture about political theory and ideology.
Watching this lecture and pausing to take notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: University of Jyvaskyla: Professor Alan Finlayson’s “Rhetoric, Political Theory, and the Analysis of Political Ideologies”
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1.4.1 Constitutionalism
- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Wil Waluchow’s “Constitutionalism”
Link: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Wil Waluchow’s “Constitutionalism” (HTML)
Instructions: Read this entry on the theories of constitutionalism. The central tenet of constitutionalism is that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law (i.e., a written constitution). However, as the article suggests, this theory brings with it a host of legal and philosophical questions on its use and practicality.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Wil Waluchow’s “Constitutionalism”
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1.4.2 Representation
- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Suzanne Dovi’s “Political Representation”
Link: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Suzanne Dovi’s “Political Representation” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this article. While the definition of political representation appears straightforward, Dovi argues that it is inadequate in addressing different and conflicting conceptions of how political actors should represent the people.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Suzanne Dovi’s “Political Representation”
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1.5 What Are the Subfields of Political Science?
Note: This subunit is covered by the reading assigned beneath subunit 1.1. Focus on the subheading “Fields and Subfields.”
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Fields and Subfields of Political Science”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Fields and Subfields of Political Science” (PDF)
Instructions: Please complete the linked matching exercise on the various types of study within the political science discipline.
When you are done, please check your work against The Saylor Foundation’s “Answer Key: Fields and Subfields of Political Science Assessment” (PDF).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Fields and Subfields of Political Science”
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Unit 2: Participation
In this unit, we will look at the participation of citizens in their governments. We are all born into a political culture, and our political socialization begins as young as age 3, when we first learn our attitudes toward police officers: think back, did you hear your mom or dad say, “If you ever get lost, find a police officer, and they will bring you home,” or did you hear from your car seat in the back, “Oh no! Slow down! It’s the cops!” One gives you a good feeling toward police, and authority in general, while the other instills fear.
Unit 2 Time Advisory show close
Our environment continues to shape our political opinions as we grow, and when we become eligible to vote, we also decide whether to join parties or interest groups or even whether or not to participate in political marches or other forms of protest. Some of us may grow up in a political void and feel alienated, while others try to use the government to promote racist and hate-filled agendas; when their voices are rejected, or even “silenced,” they feel disenfranchised and resort to violence. In a democracy, hearing everyone’s voice is the goal, even if we do not like what our fellow citizens are saying.
Unit 2 Learning Outcomes show close
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2.1 Political Culture
Note: This subunit is also covered by the reading assigned beneath subunit 1.1. See the subheading “Political Culture.”
- Reading: USHistory.org: “American Political Culture”
Link: USHistory.org: “American Political Culture” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article. What have been the defining characteristics of American political culture as a whole?
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The New York Times: Morris Fiorina’s “Political Scientists Debate Theory of ‘Rational Choice’”
Link: The New York Times: Morris Fiorina’s “Political Scientists Debate Theory of ‘Rational Choice’” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article. Fiorina captures the debate on the relative merits of political culture versus rational choice explanations for understanding political behavior. For rational choice theorists, history and culture are irrelevant to understanding political behavior; instead, it is sufficient to know the actors’ interests (usually economic) and to assume that they pursue them rationally.
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- Reading: USHistory.org: “American Political Culture”
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2.2 Political Socialization and Public Opinion
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Political Socialization and Public Opinion”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Political Socialization and Public Opinion” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline, which will explain the concepts of political socialization and public opinion.
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- Reading: Center for Civic Education: Diana Owens’ “Political Socialization in the Twenty-first Century: Recommendations for Researchers”
Link: Center for Civic Education: Diana Owens’ “Political Socialization in the Twenty-first Century: Recommendations for Researchers” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above, scroll down to the article by Owen, download the PDF, and read the conference paper. The author speculates on the ways in which political socialization research in the twenty-first century may mimic or depart from socialization in previous eras, based in large part on the political, social, and economic upheavals of our time.
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- Reading: The New Atlantis: Thomas Fitzgerald’s “Rethinking Public Opinion”
Link: The New Atlantis: Thomas Fitzgerald’s “Rethinking Public Opinion” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article, which provides an interesting critique on the internal workings and limitations of public opinion polling.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Political Socialization and Public Opinion”
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2.3 Media
- Lecture: National Union of Journalists: Tony Benn’s “The Media and the Political Process”
Link: National Union of Journalists: Tony Benn’s “The Media and the Political Process” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click the link above and watch this lecture by British Minister of Parliament Tony Benn discussing politics and media in Great Britain.
Watching this lecture, pausing to take notes and reviewing it should take approximately 45 minutes.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Mass Media and Politics”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Mass Media and Politics” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline. Notice the constant conflict between objectivity and subjectivity.
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- Lecture: National Union of Journalists: Tony Benn’s “The Media and the Political Process”
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2.4 Interest Groups
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Interest Groups”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Interest Groups” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article. Be sure to read the link to K Street Strategies for insight into the inner workings of today’s interest groups.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Ken Godwin’s “The Interest Group Society Chapters 1 and 2”
Link: University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Ken Godwin’s “The Interest Group Society Chapters 1 and 2” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and, under the section titled “Readings,” click on the PDF labeled “The Interest Group Society Ch 1 & Ch 2.” Please read this document. The chapter titled “Madison’s Dilemma” refers to Founding Father James Madison’s theory that political “factions” were a potential threat to popular government, and the only solution to controlling them was a governmental structure that provided the necessary “checks and balances.” Chapter 2, “The Advocacy Explosion,” discusses the proliferation of interest groups in the United States and its implications for representative government.
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- Reading: George Washington University: Amitai Etzioni’s “Special Interest Groups Versus Constituency Representation”
Link: George Washington University: Amitai Etzioni’s “Special Interest Groups Versus Constituency Representation” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above, scroll down to number 152, open the PDF, and read the document, which examines some of the more “dysfunctional” aspects of interest groups and offers ways in which they can help, rather than hinder, pluralistic democracy.
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- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Interest Groups”
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2.4.1 Types
- Reading: University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Ken Godwin’s “Types of Interest Groups”
Link: University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Ken Godwin’s “Types of Interest Groups” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above, and under “Lectures” click on the “Types of Interest Groups.” Read the document, which discusses the various types of interest groups, their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies.
Note: A free-rider is an economic term that refers to someone who receives benefits without incurring costs. A free-rider is the result of a market failure, or externality, which makes something unprofitable in the free market. For example: lobbying efforts are non-exclusionary, meaning no one can be excluded from the benefits of the lobbying regardless of whether they have paid to be a member of the lobbying group or not. The result of the “free-rider” problem is that it increases the difficulty of attracting paying members.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Ken Godwin’s “Types of Interest Groups”
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2.4.2 Iron Triangle
- Reading: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale: Matt Grossman’s “Policy Change Networks, 1945-2008”
Link: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale: Matt Grossman’s “Policy Change Networks, 1945-2008” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above, and then click on “Policy Change Networks, 1945-2008” to download the PDF, and read the entire document. While you read, be aware of Grossman’s methodology; it is typical of research done at the doctoral level. The theory of Iron Triangles, which Grossman refers to, was developed during the Eisenhower administration to explain the enviable success of the military-industrial complex in attaining their policy goals. The theory says; if you coordinate the appropriate interest groups (defense contractors like Boeing and Lockheed-Martin) with the appropriate Congressional committees (Senate and House Armed Services Committees) and the appropriate Executive agencies (Department of Defense), they will act as one in successfully promoting policies. Grossman’s theory of Policy Change Networks challenges whether the Iron Triangle theory was ever applied beyond the military-industrial complex. And finally, all tables and figures are at the back of the article; tables are explanations for the figures, but it is the figures that will give you the visual understanding of how Policy Change Networks interact.
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- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Interest Group Influence”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Interest Group Influence” (PDF)
Instructions: Please complete the linked assessment in which you will conduct research on a series of questions related to the goals, issues, and financial contribution trends of a prominent interest group.
When you are done, please check your work against the Saylor Foundation’s “Guide to Responding: Interest Group Influence Assessment” (PDF).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale: Matt Grossman’s “Policy Change Networks, 1945-2008”
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2.5 Political Parties
- Reading: American Government and Politics in the Information Age: “Chapter 10: Political Parties”
Link: American Government and Politics in the Information Age: “Chapter 10: Political Parties” (PDF)
Instructions: Read this chapter, which begins on page 354. Though most political scholars agree that today’s major political parties do not play the central role that they did in the past, they still provide important functions. While reading the chapter, think about the influence and relevance of political parties in today’s political landscape.
Reading this chapter should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by The Saylor Foundation under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Political Parties”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Political Parties” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this outline on the key characteristics of interest groups.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: American Government and Politics in the Information Age: “Chapter 10: Political Parties”
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2.5.1 Two-Party vs. Multiparty Systems
- Reading: Duke University: “The US System: Winner-Take-All”
Link: Duke University: “The US System: Winner-Take-All” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this webpage. In weighing the pros and cons of the United States’ electoral system, do you believe that it is a system that needs to be reformed or changed? Why or why not?
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Arend Lijphart’s “PR vs. Single-Member Districts in States”
Link: Arend Lijphart’s “PR vs. Single-Member Districts in States” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this testimony. This assignment gives you more than just an argument in favor or proportional representation; it shows you typical legislative testimony, and it is presented by one of the most well respected American political theorists of our times, Arend Lijphart. How convincing is Lijphart’s argument?
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- Reading: Duke University: “The US System: Winner-Take-All”
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2.5.2 Comparing Parties and Interest Groups
- Reading: U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs: “Political Parties, Interest Groups, NGOs”
Link: U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs: “Political Parties, Interest Groups, NGOs” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this webpage for a brief overview of the role of political parties, interest groups, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations).
Terms of Use: This resource is in the public domain. This material may be viewed in its original form here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Information Programs: “Political Parties, Interest Groups, NGOs”
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2.6 Elections
- Reading: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance: Pintor and Gratschew, ed.’s “Voter Turnout since 1945: A Global Report”
Link: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance: Pintor and Gratschew, ed.’s “Voter Turnout since 1945: A Global Report” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click on the link above, select the “Full PDF” icon to download the document, and read pages 13-19 and 75-88. Compare and contrast the turnout rates for different countries and consider the variables (social, economic, and political) which contribute to a country’s propensity for its citizens to exercise (or not exercise) their right to vote.
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- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Campaigns and Elections”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Campaigns and Elections” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline. Lee outlines the important components surrounding elections: types of primaries, term limits, presidential elections including the Electoral College, and critical elections.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance: Pintor and Gratschew, ed.’s “Voter Turnout since 1945: A Global Report”
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2.7 Non-Traditional Types of Participation
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Unconventional Political Behavior”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Unconventional Political Behavior” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline and any embedded hyperlinks. When citizens are not given a voice within government, their only alternative is to make their voice heard outside of government. The Thoreau “On Civil Disobedience” link shows what peaceful opposition looks like while the Brown link shows what violent opposition looks like.
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- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Unconventional Political Behavior”
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Unit 3: Ideologies
In this unit, we will be looking at the ideologies of the state and its citizens. Some of these ideologies reflect more on the state, others on the people and their political parties, and others overlap the two. Some of these ideologies have only come into existence in the twentieth century, while others go back hundreds of years. Some ideologies mean one thing in the United States and something different to the rest of the world – for example, “liberalism.” The following subunit covers many of the traditional and best known ideologies, however, the list is not all-inclusive.
Unit 3 Time Advisory show close
Historically, the political spectrum was seen as one-dimensional, left and right, representing the government’s position on the economic and defense issues of the day. But in the twentieth century, the New Deal and other social issues led to the creation of another dimension, confusing many who were trying to understand where they stood on both the economic/defense issues and social issues. At the end of this unit you will be able to take a test and see where your political views fall on the multidimensional political spectrum.
Unit 3 Learning Outcomes show close
- 3.1 State Ideology
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3.1.1 Democracy
- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Tom Christiano’s “Democracy”
Link: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Tom Christiano’s “Democracy” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this encyclopedia entry. Christiano provides a comprehensive analysis of “normative” democratic theories, which examines whether the claim of a state to a right to rule can be justified. He also discusses some of the frustrating tensions between democratic ideals and their practice.
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- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Tom Christiano’s “Democracy”
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3.1.1.1 Democratic Socialism or Social Democrats?
- Reading: Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice: David Schweickart’s “Democratic Socialism”
Link: Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice: David Schweickart’s “Democratic Socialism” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article. The author points to the fact that democracy and socialism are often at odds with one another. While both emphasize “equality” (political for the former and material for the latter), the fulfillment of one often comes at the expense of the other. Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?
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- Reading: Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice: David Schweickart’s “Democratic Socialism”
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3.1.1.2 Democratic Capitalism
- Lecture: Carey Center’s “Democratic Capitalism: MWCC Interview with Ray Carey”
Link: Carey Center’s “Democratic Capitalism: MWCC Interview with Ray Carey” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and watch each part (1-16) of the video interview series.
Watching this interview should take approximately 2 hours.
Note: Generally speaking, democratic capitalism supports a free market economy subject to control by a democratic political system that is supported by the majority. It stands in contrast to authoritarian capitalism by limiting the influence of special interest groups, including corporate lobbyists, on politics.
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- Lecture: Carey Center’s “Democratic Capitalism: MWCC Interview with Ray Carey”
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3.1.1.3 Representative Democracy
- Lecture: YouTube: The Open Academy: Ian Shapiro’s The Moral Foundations of Politics: “Democracy and Majority Rule (I)” and “Democracy and Majority Rule (II)”
Link: YouTube: The Open Academy: Ian Shapiro’s The Moral Foundations of Politics: “Democracy and Majority Rule (I)” (YouTube) and “Democracy and Majority Rule (II)” (YouTube)
Instructions: Watch both lectures by Yale University Professor Ian Shapiro on Democracy and Majority Rule. Shapiro’s focus in these two lectures is majority rule, democratic competition, and representation. Providing both historical and contemporary examples, Shapiro shows how majority rule lends legitimacy to collective decisions. He also explores concerns about the tyranny of the majority.
Watching these videos and taking notes should take approximately 2 hours.
Terms of Use: These resources are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. They are attributed to The Open Academy and the original versions can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: YouTube: The Open Academy: Ian Shapiro’s The Moral Foundations of Politics: “Democracy and Majority Rule (I)” and “Democracy and Majority Rule (II)”
- 3.1.2 Socialism
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3.1.2.1 Marxist Socialism/Communism
- Lecture: Torgianomania’s “Karl Marx Documentary”
Link: Torgianomania’s “Karl Marx Documentary” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please watch this video. No discussion of political ideology is complete without a thorough examination of the life and work of Karl Marx, the most influential socialist thinker to emerge in the nineteenth century. Marx’s treatise, The Communist Manifesto (1848), set down the principles on which communism was to evolve and laid the foundation for many communist regimes in the twentieth century.
Watching this video should take approximately 15 minutes.
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- Reading: Dialectical Marxism: Bertell Ollman’s “What is Political Science? What Should it Be?”
Link: Dialectical Marxism: Bertell Ollman’s “What is Political Science? What Should it Be?” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this essay, in which Ollman delves deeper into a Marxist interpretation of political science: what it is, what it does, and the “myths” that exist about the discipline.
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- Lecture: Torgianomania’s “Karl Marx Documentary”
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3.1.2.2 National Socialism
- Reading: Murphy, Stevens, Trivers, and Roland’s “National Socialism”
Link: Murphy, Stevens, Trivers, and Roland’s “National Socialism” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and scroll down to the section called “National Socialism,” and read the first section. In its intense nationalism, mass appeal, and dictatorial rule, National Socialism shared many elements with Italian fascism. However, Nazism was far more extreme both in its ideas and in its practice. In almost every respect, it was an anti-intellectual and a theoretical movement, emphasizing the will of the charismatic dictator as the sole source of inspiration of a people and a nation, as well as a vision of annihilation of all enemies of the Aryan race.
Terms of Use: This material is in the public domain. The Project Gutenberg version of this text can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: Yale University: Professor John Merriman’s “Fascists”
Link: Yale University: Professor John Merriman’s “Fascists” (YouTube)
Also available in:
HTML, Flash, MP3, or QuickTime
Instructions: Please read, listen, or watch the above lecture on the life of Adolph Hitler and how Nazism took hold in pre-World War II Germany. The beginning of the lecture references Triumph of the Will – an infamous film of the 1934 Nazi Party rally in Nuremberg, Germany. Triumph is one of the best-known examples of propaganda in film history. Also remember that while the Nazi regime has its roots in fascism, National Socialism is the more accurate term used to describe the fully developed Nazi regime.
Watching this lecture and pausing to take notes should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: This video is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. It is attributed to Yale University and John Merriman and the original can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: schoolnet.co.uk: Spartacus Educational’s “Nazi Party (NSDAP)”
Link: schoolnet.co.uk: Spartacus Educational’s “Nazi Party (NSDAP)” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article, which discusses the history of the Nazi Party. The party wielded its greatest power under its founder Adolph Hitler. Although it formally dissolved in 1945, various imitators of the party still exist in the United States and around the world, most notably in the Neo-Nazi movement.
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- Reading: Murphy, Stevens, Trivers, and Roland’s “National Socialism”
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3.1.3 Fascism
- Reading: Benito Mussolini’s “The Doctrine of Fascism”
Link: Benito Mussolini’s “The Doctrine of Fascism” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read the first section on fascism.
Terms of Use: This material is in the public domain. The Project Gutenberg version of this material can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: Liberty in Our Time: John T. Flynn’s “What is Fascism?”
Link: Liberty in Our Time: John T. Flynn’s “What is Fascism?” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click the link above and watch this lecture.
Watching this lecture should take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
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- Reading: Benito Mussolini’s “The Doctrine of Fascism”
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3.1.4 Islamism
- Lecture: James Piscatori’s Islam and Politics in a Globalizing World: “Part 2 (Iraq and the Future of Political Islam)”, “Part 3 (Why Does Islam Become Politicized?)”, and “Part 4 (Islam, Human Rights, and Democracy)”
Links: James Piscatori’s Islam and Politics in a Globalizing World: “Part 2 (Iraq and the Future of Political Islam)”, “Part 3 (Why Does Islam Become Politicized?)”, and “Part 4 (Islam, Human Rights, and Democracy)” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click the links above, and watch this lecture; you do not need to view the Q&A portions. Islamism is Islam reformulated as a modern ideology. Whereas Islam was traditionally conceived as being in a class with Judaism and Christianity, Islamism is a response to ideologies that emerged in the modern West – communism, socialism, or capitalism. With the revival of radical Islam and its ties to terrorist activity (i.e., the 9/11 attacks), much attention has been focused among Western leaders on both the resurgence and the future of Islamism.
Watching these videos should take approximately 5 hours.
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- Lecture: James Piscatori’s Islam and Politics in a Globalizing World: “Part 2 (Iraq and the Future of Political Islam)”, “Part 3 (Why Does Islam Become Politicized?)”, and “Part 4 (Islam, Human Rights, and Democracy)”
- 3.2 Individual Ideology
- 3.2.1 Liberalism
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3.2.1.1 Classic Liberalism
- Lecture: LearnLiberty’s “The Decline and Triumph of Classical Liberalism:” “Part I” and “Part II”
Link: LearnLiberty’s The Decline and Triumph of Classical Liberalism: “Part I” and “Part II” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click on the links above and watch Dr. Davies’ videos, which trace the decline of classical liberal ideas from the mid-nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century. He describes how the case for classical liberal ideas grew stale and fell prey to the competing ideologies of socialism, fascism, and modern liberalism.
Watching these lectures should take approximately 2 hours.
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- Lecture: LearnLiberty’s “The Decline and Triumph of Classical Liberalism:” “Part I” and “Part II”
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3.2.1.2 Modern Liberalism
- Lecture: The Hoover Institute’s “Charles Kesler on the Grand Liberal Project”
Link: The Hoover Institute’s “Charles Kesler on the Grand Liberal Project” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please watch this video, in which Charles Kesler provides a historical overview on the philosophy and development of modern liberalism. He asserts that liberalism has expressed itself in three distinct waves over the past century: political, economic, and cultural.
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- Lecture: The Hoover Institute’s “Charles Kesler on the Grand Liberal Project”
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3.2.1.3 Libertarianism
- Lecture: The Hoover Institution: Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson: “Take it to the Limits: Milton Friedman on Libertarianism”
Links: The Hoover Institution: Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson: “Take it to the Limits: Milton Friedman on Libertarianism” (Flash)
Instructions: Please click the link above and watch Milton Friedman’s interview about libertarianism. The central tenet of libertarianism is that individual “liberty” is the basic moral principle of society and that there should be strict limits to government involvement in people’s lives. After viewing Friedman’s interview, critique his pro-libertarian argument, considering the strengths and weaknesses of libertarianism as a political philosophy.
Watching this video should take approximately 30 minutes.
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- Lecture: The Hoover Institution: Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson: “Take it to the Limits: Milton Friedman on Libertarianism”
- 3.2.2 Conservatism
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3.2.2.1 Classic Conservatism
- Reading: New Mexico State University: Dr. Nancy V. Baker’s “Conservative Ideologies”
Link: New Mexico State University: Dr. Nancy V. Baker’s “Conservative Ideologies” (PPT)
Instructions: Click on the link above and then look under the “Courses and Syllabi” link to find and read “Ideologies-Conservative” presentation. The first several slides provide good background information on Edmund Burke, a founding thinker of classical conservatism. Note that this presentation will cover the material you need to know for subunit 3.2.2.2.
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- Reading: New Mexico State University: Dr. Nancy V. Baker’s “Conservative Ideologies”
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3.2.2.2 Modern Conservatism
Note: This subunit is also covered by the presentation assigned beneath subunit 3.2.2.1. Discussion on modern conservatism begins on slide #15.
- Lecture: C-SPAN: “Q&A with Mark Levin”
Link: C-SPAN: “Q&A with Mark Levin” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click the link and watch this interview with the conservative commentator Mark Levin.
Watching this interview should take approximately 1 hour.
Terms of Use: The video above is used with the kind permission of C-SPAN. The original video can be found here (Flash).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: C-SPAN: “Q&A with Mark Levin”
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3.2.2.3 Neo-Conservatism
- Lecture: C-SPAN: “Neoconservatism”
Links: C-SPAN: “Neoconservatism” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and watch this entire video, which features a panel discussion on the evolution of “Neoconservatism,” from intellectuals who opposed 1960s counterculture to those in the 1970s and 1980s (who were hawkishly anticommunist and socially liberal) to the neocons of today.
Watching this video should take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Terms of Use: The above video is used with the kind permission of C-SPAN. The original video can be found here (Flash).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: C-SPAN: “Neoconservatism”
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3.2.3 Feminism
- Reading: Wikipedia: “History of Feminism”
Link: Wikipedia: “History of Feminism” (PDF)
Instructions: Please read this article, which traces the history of modern feminist movements throughout the world.
Terms of Use: The article above is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License. You can find the original Wikipedia version of this article here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Earlham Sociology Pages: Russell Haggar’s “Varieties of Feminism”
Link: Earlham Sociology Pages: Russell Haggar’s “Varieties of Feminism” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this webpage, which discusses the feminist movement in the United Kingdom. Although it is similar to that in the United States, there are differences. For example, the “second wave” in the UK was in the 1970’s, while the box on Betty Friedan shows a similar discussion going on in the US during the 1960’s. Optionally, you may wish to watch the HBO film “Iron Jawed Angels” for an interesting look at the fight for women’s suffrage.
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- Reading: Wikipedia: “History of Feminism”
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3.2.4 Environmentalism
- Reading: Sonoma State University: David Walls’ “Environmental Movement”
Link: Sonoma State University: David Walls’ “Environmental Movement” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article, which discusses the roots of environmentalism and contemporary issues within the movement.
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- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Primer on Political Ideologies”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Primer on Political Ideologies” (PDF)
Instructions: Please complete the linked fill in the blank assessment on the various types of political ideologies discussed in this unit.
When you are done, please check your work against The Saylor Foundation’s “Answer Key: Primer on Political Ideologies Assessment”.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Sonoma State University: David Walls’ “Environmental Movement”
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3.3 Take the Test
- Activity: Political Compass: “Take the Test”Link: Political Compass: “Take the Test” (HTML)
Instructions: After completing this unit, please click on “Take the Test” above, and answer the questions to see where you fall on this multi-dimensional political scale. Note that this scale is only an approximation, and applies primarily to those living in the United States.
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- Activity: Political Compass: “Take the Test”
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Unit 4: The State
In this unit, we will look at the state, a relatively new creation. What is a state? What is the difference between a nation and a state? Are states sovereign? Who controls the state? What is the role of the state? Do states have a future? These are the types of questions that will be explored in this unit.
Unit 4 Time Advisory show close
Unit 4 Learning Outcomes show close
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4.1 State Classifications
- Reading: HumanitiesWeb: Francis D. Wormuth’s “The Origins of Constitutionalism: Classification of States”
Link: HumanitiesWeb: Francis D. Wormuth’s “The Origins of Constitutionalism: Classification of States” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article. As a theory toward defining a key characteristic of the state, constitutionalism posits that government can and should be legally limited in its powers and that its authority depends on its observing these limitations. Wormuth provides an analysis of ancient political thinkers’ classifications of various types of constitutional governments. As a companion to the reading, it may be helpful to view this diagram of Aristotle’s classification system.
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- Reading: HumanitiesWeb: Francis D. Wormuth’s “The Origins of Constitutionalism: Classification of States”
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4.2 The Origins of the State: Two Views
- Lecture: Yale University: Professor Steven Smith’s "Constitutional Government: Locke’s Second Treatise”
Links: Yale University: Professor Steven Smith’s "Constitutional Government: Locke’s Second Treatise”: (1-5), (7-12), and (13-19) (YouTube)
Also available in (1-5):
HTML, Adobe Flash, MP3, or QuickTime
Also available in (7-12):
HTML, Adobe Flash, MP3, or QuickTime
Also available in (13-19):
HTML, Adobe Flash, MP3, or QuickTime
Instructions: Please click on the links above; you may read, listen, or watch these lectures, in which Smith discusses Enlightenment thinker John Locke’s Second Treatise of Civil Government, which was an extremely influential work that shaped political philosophy and provided a basis for later political doctrines, such as those set forth in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Terms of Use: These videos are released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. They are attributed to Yale University, and the originals can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Foundation for Economic Education: Wendy McElroy’s “Defining State and Society”
Link: Foundation for Economic Education: Wendy McElroy’s “Defining State and Society” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article, which examines the various approaches to defining the “state” and “society,” most notably that of German sociologist Franz Oppenheimer, who spearheaded an analysis of these key terms in his treatise The State (1914).
Note: As optional reading, consider browsing through The State. Although 290 pages, it is a relatively “easy read.” Click on this link and download the PDF at the top of the page too access the book.
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- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Locke and the Founding Fathers”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Locke and the Founding Fathers” (PDF)
Instructions: Please complete this assessment, in which you will compare the principles of Locke’s Second Treatise to those found in the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution.
When you are done, please check your work against the Saylor Foundation’s “Guide to Responding: Locke and the Founding Fathers” (PDF)See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Lecture: Yale University: Professor Steven Smith’s "Constitutional Government: Locke’s Second Treatise”
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4.3 The Future of the State
- Reading: University of California, Santa Cruz: Jamus Jerome Lim’s “On the Role of the State in an Increasingly Borderless World”
Link: University of California, Santa Cruz: Jamus Jerome Lim’s “On the Role of the State in an Increasingly Borderless World” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article, which argues that the state must adapt to the internal and external forces of a globalized world in order to stay relevant.
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- Reading: University of California, Santa Cruz: Jamus Jerome Lim’s “On the Role of the State in an Increasingly Borderless World”
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Unit 5: Political Institutions
This unit looks at the various forms of government a country can adopt and how government forms the foundations of the institutions that countries build. Although this course tries to give a global perspective on government, a lot of the specifics we will look at will be from the perspective of the United States.
Unit 5 Time Advisory show close
The Max Plank Manual has a global perspective and was written for the people of the Sudan as they contemplate and hope for a future of democracy and stability. If you were from the Sudan, which would you chose: federal or unitary relationships between the central government and the local governments; a president or a prime minister to lead; legislature or a parliament to make laws? And what difference does it make, anyway? This unit will explore these types of questions.
Unit 5 Learning Outcomes show close
- Reading: Max Planck Society: Bockenforde, Dann, and Wiesner’s “Max Plank Manual on Different Forms of Decentralization”
Link: Max Planck Society: Bockenforde, Dann, and Wiesner’s “Max Plank Manual on Different Forms of Decentralization” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and open the PDF by clicking on the hyperlink at the bottom of the page, next to the “Identifiers” label. Read the text, which is a comparative legal overview of the various forms of federal government. Please note that this reading also covers the topics outlined in subunits 5.1 - 5.3 and 5.5.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Yale University: Professor Terry M. Moe’s “Power and Political Institutions”
Link: Yale University: Professor Terry M. Moe’s “Power and Political Institutions” (DOC)
Instructions: Please click the link above and then click "Papers" on the left. Scroll down until you find Terry M. Moe's “Power and Political Institutions.” Read the article, which examines the interplay of power and cooperation within political institutions.
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- Reading: Max Planck Society: Bockenforde, Dann, and Wiesner’s “Max Plank Manual on Different Forms of Decentralization”
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5.1 Federalism or Unitary Form of Government?
Note: This subunit is covered by the Max Planck Society reading under unit 5. Pages 3–8 of the manual discuss the key features of each type of government. Consider the pros and cons of a both a centralized (unitary) and decentralized (federal) system. You may want to conduct an Internet search on those countries that fall into either category.
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5.2 Legislature or Parliament?
Note: This subunit is covered by the Max Planck Society reading under unit 5. Pages 22–25 discuss the dimensions of power sharing between the legislative and executive branches.
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Congress”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Congress” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline. The U.S. Congress is one of the world’s greatest democratic institutions. However, it is also one of the most criticized. Public approval ratings for Congress typically hover around 30 percent, and sometimes much lower. Based on the Lee reading, what about Congress’ institutional design makes it such a target for criticism?
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- Reading: The Saylor Foundation’s “Parliament”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Parliament” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Inter-Parliamentary Council’s “Governing Systems and Executive-Legislative Relations (Presidential, Parliamentary and Hybrid Systems)”
Link: Inter-Parliamentary Council: “Governing Systems and Executive-Legislative Relations (Presidential, Parliamentary and Hybrid Systems)” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and click on the title of the article to read it. This article examines three different aspects of executive-legislative relations: separation of powers, removal from office, and the structure of legislative parties and leadership.
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- Reading: Congressional Research Service: R. Eric Petersen and Paul S. Rundquist’s “Parliament and Congress: A Brief Comparison of the British House of Commons and the U.S. House of Representatives”
Link: Congressional Research Service: R. Eric Petersen and Paul S. Rundquist’s “Parliament and Congress: A Brief Comparison of the British House of Commons and the U.S. House of Representatives” (PDF)
Instructions: Almost every country has a legislature or parliament that is unique to that country. Read this report, which discusses some of the most common differences between the two systems, using the United States’ legislature and Great Britain’s parliament as examples.
Terms of Use: This material is in the public domain. To original Congressional Research Service version of this report can be found here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Congress”
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5.3 President or Prime Minister?
Note: This subunit is covered by the Max Planck Society reading under unit 5. Pages 2–25 discuss parliamentary systems.
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “The Presidency”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “The Presidency” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline. The United States was the first nation to create the office of president as the head of state in a modern republic. Today, the presidential system of government is used in many countries throughout the world.
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- Reading: History & Policy: Andrew Blick and George Jones’ “The Power of the Prime Minister”
Link: History & Policy: Andrew Blick and George Jones’ “The Power of the Prime Minister” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article. Compare the roles of the United States president with that of the British prime minister. Which executive wields more power within the governmental system?
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- Lecture: Downing Street: “The Queen and the Prime Minister”
Link: Downing Street: “The Queen and the Prime Minister” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please click the link above and watch this video. The queen has a special relationship with the prime minister, regardless of his or her political party. Although she is a constitutional monarch who remains politically neutral, the queen retains the ability to give a regular audience to a prime minister during his or her term of office and plays a role in the mechanics of calling a general election. To date, there have been twelve prime ministers during the reign of the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
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- Reading: Boston University: John Gerring, Carola Moreno, and Strom Thacker’s “Are Parliamentary Systems Better?”
Link: Boston University: John Gerring, Carola Moreno, and Strom Thacker’s “Are Parliamentary Systems Better?” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and then click on the title of the paper to open the PDF. What do the authors view as the advantages of parliamentary systems over presidential systems of democratic rule?
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- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “The Presidency”
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5.4 Bureaucracy and Public Administration
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Bureaucracy”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Bureaucracy” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline. Bureaucracy is a defining feature of all modern governments. It performs three primary tasks in government – implementation, administration, and regulation – and thus plays a critical role in the policymaking process.
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- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Checks and Balances in the U.S. Governmental System”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Checks and Balances in the U.S. Governmental System” (PDF)
Instructions: Please complete this assessment, in which you will illustrate how the checks and balances system works in the modern United States democratic system.
When you are finished, please check your work against The Saylor Foundation’s “Answer Key: Checks and Balances in the U.S. Governmental System” (PDF).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “Bureaucracy”
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5.5 Law and the Courts
Note: This subunit is covered by the Max Planck reading under unit 5. Pages 25–27 discuss the role and organization of the judicial branch.
- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “The Judiciary”
Link: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “The Judiciary” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this outline, which focuses on the establishment, organization, and jurisdiction of the United States judicial system. While the legislature makes the laws, the executive branch enforces the laws, and the judiciary is responsible for interpreting the law. By design, the judicial branch is intended to function independently; thus, federal judges are appointed, not elected, and can serve for life.
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- Reading: College of the Redwoods: Kathleen Lee’s “The Judiciary”
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Unit 6: World Politics and Globalization
This unit traces the emergence of a world system of states from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), which first standardized the conditions for peace among states, through the colonial period and into contemporary globalization. We will see that global governance has its roots both in the economic interests of states and a general aversion to war. For instance, you will learn how economic interests led European powers to expand their political control over – and ultimately establish formal colonies (countries or areas under the political control of another, distant country) in – Africa, the Americas, and Asia. European powers used their colonies both to extract raw materials for the industrial revolution in Europe and the United States and to export excess segments of their own populations. From an economic perspective, European colonization was exchanging excess Europeans for raw materials like lumber, steel, tea, and crops. This pattern of exchange has led to complex political dynamics across state borders, the implications of which continue to be felt today.
Unit 6 Time Advisory show close
This unit will also consider how both trade and a series of 18th and 19th century European colonial mandates eventually led to two world wars and the emergence of what we call the Third World, those countries not included in the Soviet or United States spheres of influence during the Cold War. Subunit 6.2 introduces security studies, which includes the political voices of indigenous peoples in response to the drive toward globalization. Subunits 6.3 and 6.4 will focus on some of the emerging issues in global governance, such as the burgeoning influence of nonstate actors and human rights.
Unit 6 Learning Outcomes show close
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6.1 Origins of the International System
- Reading: Oxford University Press: Steven C. Neff’s “A Short History of International Law”
Link: Oxford University Press: Steven C. Neff’s “A Short History of International Law” (PDF)
Instructions: Click on the link above, and then click on the link to the PDF labeled “Sample Content Ch. 01: A Short History of International Law” on the right hand column of the webpage. Please read this chapter, which should provide you with a good foundation for understanding the readings in this unit.
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- Reading: Oxford University Press: Steven C. Neff’s “A Short History of International Law”
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6.1.1 The Treaty of Westphalia
- Reading: New World Encyclopedia: “Peace of Westphalia”
Link: New World Encyclopedia: “Peace of Westphalia” (PDF)
Instructions: Please read this article. The peace, as a whole, is often used by historians to mark the beginning of the modern era. Each ruler would have the right to determine their state's religion – thus, in law, Protestantism and Catholicism were equal. The Peace of Westphalia continues to be of importance today, with many academics asserting that the international system that exists today began at Westphalia.
Terms of Use: The article above is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. You can find the original New World Encyclopedia version of this article here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: New World Encyclopedia: “Peace of Westphalia”
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6.1.2 The League of Nations and the United Nations
- Reading: BBC History: Charles Townshend’s “History: The League of Nations and the United Nations”
Link: BBC History: Charles Townshend’s “History - The League of Nations and the United Nations” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this article. Since the creation of the United Nations, it has drawn controversy and criticism, directed mainly at the UN’s purported inability to handle international conflicts, even on a small scale. Some have even questioned whether the UN might be relevant in the 21st century, pointing to the fact that the requirement for unanimous consent on the authorization of UN enforcement actions has not always been reached in time to prevent the outbreak of international wars. Do you agree or disagree with these assessments? Why or why not?
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- Reading: BBC History: Charles Townshend’s “History: The League of Nations and the United Nations”
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6.1.3 Diplomacy
- Lecture: U.S. Department of State: “Diplomacy Is...”
Link: U.S. Department of State: “Diplomacy Is...” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please watch each of these ten short videos. The videos should cycle automatically within the playlist. You can navigate the playlist on the right had side of the video screen. Each video is comprised of a short interview with a U.S. foreign diplomat describing his or her work and perspective on diplomacy.
Terms of Use: These videos are in the public domain. The original U.S. Department of State videos may be seen here.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: RAND Corporation: Charles Wolfe, Jr., and Brian Rosen’s “Public Diplomacy: How to Think About and Improve It”
RAND Corporation: Charles Wolfe, Jr., and Brian Rosen’s “Public Diplomacy: How to Think About and Improve It” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and then click “Read Online” to view the PDF. This report proffers a strategy in the realm of “public diplomacy,” the process of explaining and advocating America’s values to the world.
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- Lecture: U.S. Department of State: “Diplomacy Is...”
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6.1.4 Treaties and International Law
- Reading: The International Law of Treaties: Walter Gehr’s “The International Law of Treaties”
Link: The International Law of Treaties: Walter Gehr’s "The International Law of Treaties" (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read through this website up to “100 Ways International Laws Shape Our Lives” under “Further Reading.” The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties was drafted by the International Law Commission (ILC) of the United Nations in 1969. It is widely recognized as the authoritative guide on the definition, formation and effects of treaties. The VCLT has been ratified by 111 countries. Some countries (including the United States) that have not ratified the convention recognize it as a restatement of customary law and binding upon them as such.
Terms of Use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.The Saylor Foundation does not yet have materials for this portion of the course. If you are interested in contributing your content to fill this gap or aware of a resource that could be used here, please submit it here.
- Reading: The International Law of Treaties: Walter Gehr’s “The International Law of Treaties”
- 6.2 War and Peace
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6.2.1 National Security and Thomas Hobbes’ State of Nature
- Reading: Formulations: Gordon Neal Diem’s “Locke, Hobbes and the Free Nation”
Link: Formulations: Gordon Neal Diem’s “Locke, Hobbes and the Free Nation” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click the link above and read this article. Diem reflects on the seemingly incompatible views of Locke and Hobbes on the nature of man and asserts that both are possible within a free society.
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- Reading: Defense Technical Information Center: Colonel Nico W. Tak’s “Hobbes vs. Locke – Redefining the War on Terror”
Link: Defense Technical Information Center: Colonel Nico W. Tak’s “Hobbes vs. Locke – Redefining the War on Terror” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and then click on the title of the paper (listed first), which will direct you to the PDF. Like the previous article, Colonel Tak compares the philosophical viewpoints of Locke and Hobbes; in this instance, however, they are examined through the lens of national security and, specifically, the War on Terror.
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- Reading: Formulations: Gordon Neal Diem’s “Locke, Hobbes and the Free Nation”
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6.2.2 Just War Theory and Humanitarian Intervention
- Reading: The University of Tennessee, Martin: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Alexander Moseley’s “Just War Theory”
Link: The University of Tennessee, Martin: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Alexander Moseley’s “Just War Theory” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article. Once you have a firm understanding of this theory, consider what factors might make a war “just” or “unjust.”
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- Reading: J. L. Holzgrefe and Robert Owen Keohane: Humanitarian Intervention: Ethical, Legal, and Political Dilemmas: “Chapter 1: The Humanitarian Intervention Debate”
Link: J. L. Holzgrefe and Robert Owen Keohane: Humanitarian Intervention: Ethical, Legal, and Political Dilemmas: “Chapter 1: The Humanitarian Intervention Debate” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the above link to the Google Books website and read the first chapter of the book (Pages 15–52). In this chapter, Holzgrefe analyzes the debate on the ethics (and legality) of humanitarian intervention.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: The University of Tennessee, Martin: Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Alexander Moseley’s “Just War Theory”
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6.2.3 Clausewitz’s Fog of War
- Reading: Airpower Journal: Col Larry D. New, USAF’s “Clausewitz’s Theory: On War and Its Application Today”
Link: Airpower Journal: Col. Larry D. New’s “Clausewitz’s Theory: On War and Its Application Today” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article. Carl von Clausewitz was a professional soldier who was involved in numerous military campaigns in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, but he is famous primarily as a military theorist interested in the examination of war. He wrote a careful, systematic, philosophical examination of war in all its aspects. The result was his principal work, On Work, the West’s premier work on the philosophy of war.
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- Reading: Air University: Military Review: Eugenia C. Kiesling’s “On War without the Fog”
Link: Air University: Military Review: Eugenia C Kiesling’s “On War without the Fog” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link to “On War without the Fog” to open the PDF; read this article.
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- Reading: Airpower Journal: Col Larry D. New, USAF’s “Clausewitz’s Theory: On War and Its Application Today”
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6.2.4 Conflict Mediation and Resolution
- Reading: Beyond Intractability: Jacob Bercovitch’s “International Mediation and Intractable Conflict”
Link: Beyond Intractability: Jacob Bercovitch’s “International Mediation and Intractable Conflict” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article.
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- Reading: Building a Future on Peace and Justice: Chandra Lekha Sriram’s “Conflict Mediation and the ICC: Challenges and Options for Pursuing Peace with Justice at the Regional Level”
Link: Building a Future on Peace and Justice: Chandra Lekha Sriram’s “Conflict Mediation and the ICC: Challenges and Options for Pursuing Peace with Justice at the Regional Level” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and then click the “Conflict Mediation and the ICC: Challenges and Options for Pursuing Peace and Justice at the Regional Level” link to download the PDF. Read this article.
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- Reading: Beyond Intractability: Jacob Bercovitch’s “International Mediation and Intractable Conflict”
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6.2.5 Network Warfare and the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)
- Reading: Joint Force Quarterly: Williamson Murray’s “Thinking About Revolutions in Military Affairs”
Link: Joint Force Quarterly: Williamson Murray’s “Thinking About Revolutions in Military Affairs” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and download the PDF entitled “JFQ 19.” The article is on page 103 of the PDF. This article suggests how one might think about RMAs of the past and the implications of the historical record for the future.
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- Reading: Joint Force Quarterly: Stephen J. Cimbala’s “Transformation in Concept and Policy”
Link: Joint Force Quarterly: Stephen J. Cimbala’s “Transformation in Concept and Policy” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and download the PDF entitled “JFQ 38.” The article is on page 28 of the PDF. This article asks pertinent questions about what military transformation means and explores its implications for policy and strategy issues that have both immediate and longer-term importance.
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- Reading: Joint Force Quarterly: Williamson Murray’s “Thinking About Revolutions in Military Affairs”
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6.2.6 Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations
- Reading: Foreign Affairs: Samuel P. Huntington’s “If Not Civilizations, What? Samuel Huntington Responds to His Critics”
Link: Foreign Affairs: Samuel P. Huntington’s “If Not Civilizations, What? Samuel Huntington Responds to His Critics” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this article. Huntington’s controversial “clash of civilizations” theory posits that people’s cultural and religious identities will be the primary source of conflict in the post-Cold War world. His theory has fallen under the stern critique of various academic writers (see article below).
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- Reading: UNICEF: Journal of Democracy: Amartya Sen’s “Democracy as a Universal Value”
Link: UNICEF: Journal of Democracy: Amartya Sen’s “Democracy as a Universal Value” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and then click the “Download Democracy as a Universal Value” to download the PDF. Sen specifically offers a critique of Huntington’s “clash of civilizations” theory.
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- Reading: Foreign Affairs: Samuel P. Huntington’s “If Not Civilizations, What? Samuel Huntington Responds to His Critics”
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6.2.7 Democratic Peace Theory
- Reading: Nobelprize.org: Michael W. Doyle’s “Liberal Internationalism: Peace, War, and Democracy”
Link: Nobelprize.org: Michael W. Doyle’s “Liberal Internationalism: Peace, War and Democracy” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this article, in which Doyle deconstructs the various types of liberalism practiced among state actors within the international political and foreign policy environment.
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- Reading: Nobelprize.org: Michael W. Doyle’s “Liberal Internationalism: Peace, War, and Democracy”
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6.3 Non-State Actors
- Reading: National Intelligence Council: “Nonstate Actors: Impact on International Relations and Implications for the United States”
Link: National Intelligence Council: “Nonstate Actors: Impact International Relations and Implications for the United States” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and then click on the link to the article and read the NIC’s 2007 conference report. Interestingly, the admission of nonstate actors into international relations theory is inherently a rebuke to the assumptions of realism and other black box theories of international relations, which argue that interactions between states are the main relationships of interest in studying international events.
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- Reading: National Intelligence Council: “Nonstate Actors: Impact on International Relations and Implications for the United States”
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6.3.1 Nongovernmental Institutions (NGOs)
- Reading: City University, London: Dr. Peter Willetts’ “What is a Non-Governmental Organization?”
Link: City University London: Dr. Peter Willetts’ “What is a Non-Governmental Organization?” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read this article.
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- Reading: City University, London: Dr. Peter Willetts’ “What is a Non-Governmental Organization?”
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6.4 Human Rights
- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: James Nickel’s “Human Rights”
Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: James Nickel’s “Human Rights” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the link above and read this article. Human rights is a critical component of the study of international relations in that human rights are international norms that help to protect all people everywhere from severe political, legal, and social abuses. These rights exist in morality and in law at the national and international levels.
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- Reading: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: James Nickel’s “Human Rights”
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6.4.1 Governance
- Reading: Poroi: William H. Meyer’s “Global Governance, Human Rights, and International Justice”
Link: Poroi: William H. Meyer’s “Global Governance, Human Rights, and International Justice” (PDF)
Instructions: Please click the link above and then click on the article title to download and read this article.
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- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “A Primer on World Politics and Globalization”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “A Primer on World Politics and Globalization” (PDF)
Instructions: Please complete the linked assessment in which you will match key terms on world politics and globalization with their descriptions.
When you are done, please check your work against The Saylor Foundation’s “Answer Key: Matching Exercise: A Primer on World Politics and Globalization” (PDF)See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Poroi: William H. Meyer’s “Global Governance, Human Rights, and International Justice”
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Final Exam
- Final Exam: The Saylor Foundation’s “POLSC101 Final Exam”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “POLSC101 Final Exam”
Instructions: You must be logged into your Saylor Foundation School account in order to access this exam. If you do not yet have an account, you will be able to create one, free of charge, after clicking the link.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Final Exam: The Saylor Foundation’s “POLSC101 Final Exam”
