 |
Terms and Theories
Political science considers the social order and organisation that regulates the coexistence of a community and organises coexistence with other communities. Social order is typically organised by governments with the help of state institutions such as the police and courts, tax authorities and many others. Coexistence with other communities can be regulated by international treaties, laws such as regulations on the import of goods or the entry of persons, or simply through diplomatic action in foreign policy.
Empirical political science deals with societies, their organisation and social structures in order to identify the relationships that determine how people live together. To this end, it examines and analyses social developments throughout human history. Theoretical or normative political science deals with questions of how communities should be organised. It draws on moral and normative principles as a basis and develops a target state.
In political science, three dimensions are distinguished:
- Policy: the substantive consideration, such as economic, labour, social or foreign policy.
- Politics: the procedural consideration of the processes of political action. These can be legislative procedures, but also the processes by which various political decisions are prepared and implemented.
- Polity: the organisational consideration of state institutions such as parliaments, presidents or state authorities.
In the theories section, we examine various theories from political science and social sciences, as well as more advanced theories such as game theory and Keynesian economic theory.
Game theory originated in mathematics and examined strategies used in board games. However, it was clear from the outset that the results could also be applied to decision-making situations in politics and economics. Keynes' theory deals with the relationship between production, demand, investment and cash flow. Classical economic theory assumes that markets are self-regulating and calls for minimal government intervention. In contrast, Keynes assumes that production and the labour market are dependent on aggregate demand and advocates government intervention that should be as countercyclical to the economic cycle as possible.
