POL 101W Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Political Philosophy, Yes It Is, Free Rider Problem
13 Jan 2018
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Document Summary
Political science = is the systematic (relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part) study of politics. The key distinction is the empirical analysis versus normative analysis. Empirical analysis = what is observable. analysis that involves explaining various aspects of politics, particularly by using careful observation and comparison to develop generalizations and testable theories. Empirical analysis focuses on facts, proven logic and reliable unbiased data and is scienti c and descriptive in nature. Normative analysis = emphasize what ought happen, what should be. analysis that includes examining ideas about how the community should be governed and what values should be pursued through politics. This is very different from describing and analyzing what actually is, what already exists e. g. facts. They often include valued judgements about optimal standards e. g. norms. Normative analysis and approaches are important as they are the basis or starting point for most empirical analysis and empirical political science.
