‘A good Catholic doesn't meddle in politics.' That's not

true. That is not a good

path. A good

Catholic meddles in politics, offering the best of himself

- so that those who govern can

govern.

-Pope Francis

Learning Outcomes:

1. Develop critical thinking in defining the nature and scope of politics.

2. Explain the difference between politics as art and politics as science.3. Promote the appreciation of the importance of politics and Political Science.

“The study of the affairs of

the Polis: which he

defined as the most

sovereign and inclusive

association.”PLATO

The end of politics is the best of ends; and the main

concern of politics is to engender a

certain character in the citizens and to make

them good and disposed to

perform noble actions.

ARISTOTLE

“politics is a natural phenomenon that

cannot be evaded by man. But as a

reminder, he further emphasized that

―man is not ordained to the body politic according to all that he is and has. Contentment

and full splendor of each human

individual will always be found in the arms

of God.

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS

“The end justifies the

means.”He asserted that

good rulers sometimes have to learn "not to

be good" in order to maintain the stability of the

state.

NICCOLO MACHIAVELLI

From the various views presented, we can construe that POLITICS is:

1. Inherent in society and people cannot evade the practice of such. The term ―politicians‖ does not only encompass the people we vote during elections but also includes commoners in society;2. Important in the affairs of the state and the government and involves power relationships;3. An undertaking that advances the welfare of the governed but does not totally depend on the efforts of the governor; and4. A process whose character is shaped by the people engaging in it.

POLITICAL MENU

"Power is the probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out

his will despite resistance, regardless of the basis on which

this probability rests."

"By power is meant the ability of individuals or

group to make their own concerns or interests

count, even where others resists.

Power sometimes involves the direct use of force, but

is almost always accompanied by the

development of ideas (ideology) which justify the

actions of the powerful."

• What is power?–The ability to affect the behavior of others.

KINDS OF POWER1. Legitimate power:Power granted through the organizational structure, it is the power accorded people occupying particular positions as defined by the organization.

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2. Reward power: The power to give or withhold rewards, such as:

•Salary increases.•Bonuses.•Promotion.•Recommendation.

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3. Coercive power - The power to force compliance by means of psychological, emotional, or physical threat.4. Referent power- The personal power that accrues to someone based on identification, imitation, loyalty, or charisma. 20

5. Expert Power - The personal power that accrues to someone based on the information or expertise that they possess.

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AUTHORITYA first sense of authority is theoretical authority or expertise.

The second is practical authority. This is the sense in which a person can be an ‘authority figure’. An authority can get us to act in particular ways, because they have power.

There are two senses of practical authority. In the descriptive sense of practical authority, and Normative sense.

In the normative sense, a state has practical authority if its authority in the descriptive sense is legitimate. In this case, it means that the practical authority is right, justified, supported by good reasons).

LEGITIMACY

The term legitimate comes from the Latin for ‘lawful’.

In the most basic sense, a state is legitimate if it exists and operates according to the law.

INFLUENCE

• The action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others.

• Influence is the process of changing someone's behavior. It's about being able to move things forward, without pushing, forcing or telling others what to do.

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Thomas Hobbes

John Locke “ A human being is by nature a

social animal.”

All men are by nature free

and equal.

"Man is born free but everywhere is in chains."(1712-1778)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau