This document defines politics and differentiates between governance and government. It outlines four views of politics: as the art of government, public affairs, compromise and consensus, and power and distribution of resources. The document also defines political science and describes the key elements of a state. It notes that a government is the instrument of the state that expresses and carries out the will of the people, while governance is broader than just government. Finally, it lists three general methods for studying politics: political philosophy, empirical traditions, and scientific traditions.

1. MODULE 1: THE CONCEPTS OF
POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

2. INTHIS MODULE,YOUWILL BE ABLETO:
Define politics
Identify the various views on politics
Differentiate governance from government
Determine the general methods of inquiry in
political science

3.  POLITICS- is an active- ty that involves the interaction of people, whose relationship is
characterized by conflict and cooperation and who come together to solve such
disagreements through binding solutions.
THE DIFFERENTVIEWSON POLITICS:
1. Art of government
politics concerns the state. It focuses on the personnel and machinery of the
government.
2. Public affairs
politics is the conduct and management of public interest and therefore political
affairs.
3. Compromise and consensus
politics attempts to resolve conflict through discussion, compromise, bargaining
and consensus wherein people arrive at a binding decision.
4. Power and the distribution of resources
politics involves the exercise of authority in the production, distribution and use of
resources.

4.  POLITICAL SCIENCE
- Is a social science discipline that studies the state and the
government.
STATE
- Is a political community that involves four important elements:
a. people
b. territory
c. sovereignty
d. government

5. GOVERNMENT
- is the instrument of the state through which the
will of the people is expressed, carried out and
formulated.
GOVERNANCE
-

6. SEVERALWAYSTO STUDY POLITICS:
1.Political philosophy
2.Empirical traditions
3.Scientific traditions