The document discusses the definitions and concepts of politics and governance, noting that politics involves activities that influence groups and individuals, can involve compromise, and is the study of how power and the state make and implement decisions, while governance refers more specifically to the actions and decision-making processes of the government. It also outlines reasons to study politics and characteristics of good governance.

1. ` Introduction :
The concepts of
Prepared by: Cherrylyn T. Magano, LPT
POLITICS and
GOVERNANCE

2. Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
• Articulate the definition of politics.
• Differentiate the various views on Explore the connection
between the phenomenon (politics) and the method of inquiry
(Political Science)
• Recognize the value of politics.
• Students differentiate government from governance.

3. A Glimpse Back
Write five words or phrases on the box that comes into
your mind whenever you hear the words politics and political
science.
POLITICS-
POLITICAL SCIENCE-

4. Test your Stock Knowledge
Write T on the Blank if the statement is true . Write F if the statement is
false and underline the word or phrase that makes the statement false.
1. Political science is the study of power and government systems.___
2. Power is not a central concept in political science.____
3. The study of politics involves a complex process of quantitative and
qualitative interpretations based on available data.____
4. Politics is generally define as the activity that influences an individual or a
group of people.___
5. Only government officials have the right to study politics._____

5. ORIGIN OF POLITICS
• POLIS – city-state
• POLITES – citizens
• POLITIKOS – government officials
(Zaide, 1983)

6. POLITICS
• is derived from the Greek word “polis”
which means “city-state” a small
independent self- contained political
society.

7. POLITICS
• “the heart of Political Science”
• It is the activity of people where they
create, preserve and amend laws under
which they live.

8. POLITICS as the art of
government.
• Politics is what defines the activities
of the government and of the state.
All government officials and all those
working in government are
participating in politics.

9. POLITICS as public affair.
• Politics is played by everybody, politicians or
not.
• In politics, Aristotle said that “man by nature is
a political animal;” this means that it is only
within a political community that human beings
can live the good life.
• Thus, politics becomes necessary to create a just
society.

10. POLITICS as compromise and consensus.
• Politics is meant to resolve conflict.
• In politics, compromise, conciliation and
negotiation become necessary.
• It is through these means that issues and problems
are being resolved.
• Thus, politics becomes the process of conflict
resolution.

11. POLITICS as power.
• Politics happens in all human interactions:
within the family, among friends, among
officemates, etc.
• Politics can, therefore, be seen as struggle
over scarce resources, and power can be
seen as the means through which struggle is
conducted.

12. Focuses its study on the actual actions
or decisions of the state.
 Politics is concerned with issues,
problems and activities of the state
while political science is concerned on
how the state originated, its nature and
its functions.
An academic discipline deals with the
theoretical study of the state and
government.
 A political scientist observes how to
state makes decision, and how the state’s
decision affects people.
In the modern perspectives, political science studies politics.
The state and government are the key factors in the study of political science
and politics.
Thus, political science cannot be differentiated from politics.

13. 5 REASONS TO STUDY POLITICS
1. Politics will help you to know your rights.
2. Politics clarifies what you yourself believes.
3. Politics is a living, breathing subject.
4. Politics helps you to understand our nation’s parties.
5. Politics prepares you for adult life.
http://www.bedes.org/senior-school/news-and-blogs/senior-
schoolnews/2015/01/5-reasons-to-study-politics.aspx

14. HOW POLITICS CAN BE
STUDIED?

16. What is GOVERNANCE?
• the action of the government
• “the process of decision-making and the process by which
decisions are implemented.” (Sheng, UNESCAP)

17. • “a government’s ability to make and enforce rule and to
deliver services, regardless of whether the government is
democratic or not.” -Fukuyama (2013)
• In the early Indian history, back to at least 400 B.C,
governance includes emphasizing justice, ethics and anti-
autocratic tendencies.

18. • Moreover, World Bank (2007) defines governance as “the
manner in which public officials and institutions acquire
and exercise the authority to shape public policy and
provide public goods and services.”
Note: Decisions should not be
influenced by interest of the few,
values and preference.

19. 8 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

20. 1. Participation – active involvement of all
affected and interested parties
in the decision making process.
2. Rule of Law - legal frameworks should be
fair and enforced impartially.
3. Transparency - free flow of information.
4. Responsiveness - serve all stakeholders.

21. 5. Consensus
Oriented
- mediates differing
interests.
6. Equity and
Inclusiveness
- all its members have
opportunities to improve or
maintain their well-being.
7. Effectiveness
and efficiency
- produce results that meet
needs while making the
best use of resources .
8.Accountability -accountable to the public.

23. Analysis Guide
1. Why should we study the basic concepts of political Science?
2. Which of the field of interest in political science enumerated above (i.e.,
comparative politics) should leaders and aspiring politicians focus on?
Defend your answer.
3.Which aspect of political science are you most interested in? Why o why
not?