POLS-Y 205 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Historical Determinism, Scientific Revolution, Empiricism
Document Summary
Plato"s republic: theories of justice, political virtue, describing different forms of government. Systematic study of politics as a beginning. Observing the real world, how politics works in practice. Initially related to catholic church, which was dominant. Later rooted firmly in the real-world political reality. Political power developing outside of the church. His book-the prince, using politics of venice, italy as an example. Analysis of value free politics, how rulers hold onto power . Discussion of best forms of government key again. Idea of limiting power of monarchies now common. Concept like separation of powers, property rights developed. Combined knowledge of history and observation of conditions of the people that lived in the contemporary world (things were pretty bad for the factories) George hegel, karl marx, john stuart mill, max weber. Sociology was, at first, more focused on current conditions. Political science was more focused on history and philosophy. Empiricism becomes norm, evidence-based scientific study of politics.
