POL208Y1 Lecture 1: Introduction
Document Summary
Different approaches and philosophical assumptions about politics and the state: politics was thought of as theology (radial texts) and philosophy (maximization of good virtues), plato argued that the state that was most virtuous was the wisest. The idea of enlightenment came about also known as the age of reason. According to science, laws discovered through empirical observation are manipulated, to ensue human purposes, govern the world. This idea led to the development of technology (using knowledge to transform the way we do things more effectively). The french revolution changed the face of politics because of the development of sovereignty, creating a ruler and its subjects (citizens): the leaders were sovereign and would serve their people. They addressed the needs of the people by making a change. They need a scientific basis to make this change thus political science was born. International relations involves paradigms competing for dominance.
