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UNDERSTANDING MAN IN
THE POLITICAL CONTEXT
TMC311
MRS. NCHEKWUBE EXCELLENCE-OLUYE
Department of Political Science and International Relations
Opening Remarks
“Knowing yourself is the beginning
of wisdom.” -Aristotle
“The unexamined life is not worth
living” – Socrates
“O man, know thyself” - Socrates
2
Definition of terms
Who is Man?
3
Definition of terms
What is Politics?
4
Definition of terms
Politics
• Politics, in the broadest sense, is the
activity through which people make,
preserve and amend the general
rules under which they live.
5
Definition of terms
• “Politics
is who gets what, when,
and how.” Harold
Lasswell (American political
scientist).
6
Definition of terms
Politics
• Politics is the resolution of
conflict
• Politics is the competition
among individuals, groups, or
states pursuing their interests
7
Definition of terms
• According to Ponton and Gill,
politics is the way in which
social affairs are understood
and ordered, and by which
people acquire greater control
over the situation.
8
Definition of terms
•
• Eastondefines politics as the
“authoritative allocation of
value”
9
Definition of terms…contd
Value here is anything significant
and important for one’s wellbeing,
ranging from resources to ideology,
human rights, respect, social
amenities etc.
10
Definition of terms…contd
It involves the process through
which the government skillfully
addresses the needs of the society
by carefully allocating benefits,
rewards, and penalties.
11
Definition of terms…contd
Politics is the science of government.
That is a systematic body of knowledge
that deals with the government,
regulation, maintenance, development,
defense and augmentation of the state
12
Definition of terms…contd
It also deals with the protection of the
rights of its citizens, safeguarding and
enhancement of morals, and harmony
and peace of human relations.
13
Definition of terms…contd
Politics is also seen as the art,
rather than the science, of
government.
14
Definition of terms…contd
It is an art because it involves the
exercise of control or authority within
the society through the creation and
enforcement of consensus arrived at by
the leaders.
15
Definition of terms…contd
Politics is the realm of public affairs or
the state.
16
Definition of terms…contd
Politicsis the creation, maintenance,
and amendment of societal norms or
rules.
17
Definition of terms…contd
Politics as conflict resolution aims at
establishing order in the society
18
Definition of terms…contd
Politics denotes a social activity. It
is in essence the interaction of
individuals.
19
Definition of terms
Political System
• "A political system is any persistent
pattern of human relationships that
involves ... power, rule, or authority."
(Robert Dahl).
20
Definition of terms
Political System
A political system is the totality of social
actions that in any way
influence the making of binding
value allocations for a collectivity.
21
According to Easton, political
systems are maintained by specific
sorts of interactions between people.
22
Politics can be summed in the following
categories:
• Government
• Management of public affairs
• Conflict, compromise, consensus, resolution
• Influence
• Allocation of resources
• Power
23
24
POLITICS AND MAN
Man is a political animal…Aristotle
(that man is naturally inclined to live
in a society. Aside from his private
life, man must have a public life, for
this perfects his essence and gives
him the “good life.”)
25
POLITICS AND MAN
Man is naturally social, so
therefore he is naturally
political
26
POLITICS AND MAN
Man is a social creature with
the power of speech and
moral reasoning, interested in
social and political issues
27
POLITICS AND MAN
Politics is about developing
the virtue of the citizen
28
Politics is linked to the phenomena of conflict and
cooperation.
Conflict: Competition between opposing forces,
reflecting a diversity of opinions, preferences,
needs or interest.
Cooperation: Working together, achieving goals
through collective action.
Disagree: How they should live, Who should get
what? How should power and other resources be
distributed?
29
Man must interact and have social
relationships. Therefore conflict is
inevitable. It is the means of resolving
conflicts that is politics.
30
MAN’S PERSPECTIVES ABOUT
POLITICS
POSITIVE VIEW A natural process for
resolving differences among groups
Goal: To benefit the majority
31
• NEGATIVE VIEW A self-serving activity to
promote ones self.
Goal: To benefit a minority
32
Power corrupts and absolute power
corrupts absolutely…
33
Conflict and Conflict Resolution
• Compromise
• Reconciliation
• Negotiation
• Consensus
34
COMPROMISE
• UYGHYUG
35
CONSENSUS
• HJBNJFNHL
36
• Since conflict is inevitable, rules and
regulations guide behavior in a society
37
WHY RULES AND REGULATIONS?
• To maintain peaceful coexistence.
• To preserve man’s existence.
• To guide man’s interaction with
society.
• To model man’s behaviour
38
WHY RULES AND REGULATIONS?
• From the beginning, God gave man
rules.
Genesis 2:15-17
39
CLASS ACTIVITY
40
Citizenship
National Citizenship
International Citizenship
41
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Taking appropriate actions if they are not adhering
to constitutional principles
Participating in elections
Participating in civic groups
Performing public service.
Serving in the Armed Forces when called upon.
42
Some other Issues man encounters
in his political environment
Societal Power
Societal Pressure
Societal Influence
43
Conclusion
44
HOW SHOULD MAN MAXIMISE THE
POLITICAL SYSTEM
45
Build Coalitions (Politics is a game of
coalitions).