POLS 110 Lecture 2: How do we study Politics
2 Nov 2015
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What does it mean to study politics. What we hold in common concern-of a group, community, region, nation, humanity, planetary: the root of the word politics comes from the word polis which means the city. Recognition of the likelihood of different opinions and interests. Socially constructed, not permanent or immutable and is therefore subject to change through actions, processes, development of structures and systems. What or whom you include or exclude has political effects, ie. narrow or broad definitions or politics have political consequences. The study of politics is usually motivated politically. What we see as political is constantly changing. About what things should be like not about how things are. What should happen with the government, environment, etc. This is how political theory generally was written, the great thinkers tried to figure out the best way to live, to organize society, etc. Not about what should be, but is about what is.
