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Political science is the study of how organized disputes are articulated and then resolved
by the public decisions made by governments.
Jean Bodin (1570-1596) – invented the term political science- which he defined as the
study of sovereignty, the functions of governments, and the institution that make law.
Political science belongs to social sciences (,geography, history, psycology, sociology,
anthropology, economics, communications and political science) – the study of human
behavior.
GREEK AND ROMAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
The word politics derived from the Greek word “polis” which means city state.
Aristotle’s Politics – he believed that political systems evolve as natural social organisms
from the desire to seek moral perfection.
Plato – he believed that justice would constitute ideal harmony for individuals and also
the state. He conceived of a just society. The ideal state he said would be ruled by
philosopher king who were imbued with wisdom.
He too believed that the state and society is an organic whole – the component parts
were specialized, the organs of the body had roles which contribute to the well-being of
the whole.
Timocracies – were ruled by property-owning ambitious men on search for honor.
Oligarchies – were ruled by people who sought only wealth.
After the fall of the Greek City-State, the Roman Empire dominated the western world
and individuals such as Cicero contributed advances in law and public administration to
the study of government.
WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT
The first European States coexisted with the Church
Kings used the influence of the church to strengthen their own positions, they adopted
the concept of Divine Rule, portraying themselves as vicars of Christ with absolute
Divine authority.
Church and state were fused
The sixteenth century brought the years of reformation, when Martin Luther challenge
the authority of the Roman Catholic Church and the supremacy of the pope.
By the late seventh century – there are many debates about the exercise of state
power. This period of history sometimes called the age of reason, produce several great
political thinkers.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) – was an English Philosopher; he advocated absolute
government based on a social contract which would bind all citizens under a sovereign
who would protect them from their own selfishness. A state is necessary in order to
maintain order and stability.
John Locke (1632-1704) English philosopher who advocated that the state should be
limited and accountable so that people generally could be free to think and act as they
wished.
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) – “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains”
in other words man is born innocent but was corrupted by society.