Rasheedin Noor N.

Isa – BA Political Science 1-A

Fundamentals Of Political Science

Aristotle, a Greek philosopher and also the Father of Political Science.

Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian diplomat and is the Father of Modern Political Science.
“Man by nature, is a political animal” – Aristotle.
- What Aristotle meant by this is that, man was intended by his nature to live with others in
the society. Man is destined by his own nature to live as a sociopolitical being.
- Humans are the highest form of animal, because humans are rational, has the ability to
speak and communicate, and also logical.
- Everything we do involves politics.
Politics
- The practice of influencing people through the exercise of power.
- The heart of Political Science.
“Politics is Ubiquitous”
- It means that politics can be found anywhere regardless of the context.
- Everywhere you can see politics.
The Two Aspects/Basis of Politics
1. Restricted Politics
- The basis/aspect of politics that has a limitation or is limited by the law.
- This aspect shows the direct relationship between man and state⁰.

Ex. Getting NBI, Authenticating your live birth at the PSA, and Voting.

2. Unrestricted Politics
- The basis/aspect of politics that has no limitation or is not limited by the law.
- This aspect shows a direct relationship between man and man.

Ex. Conversation with people.

Political Science
- The systematic study of the state and the government.
- A social science subject that involves the study of political institutions, government
systems, and political behavior.
- An academic discipline that studies and looks at the politics, society, and the people that
make it as a whole.
Political, is derived from the Greek word, Polis, which means “City or State”.
Science, is derived from the Latin word, Scire, which means “to know”.

“Not everything is inherently political, but anything can become political”

- It means that even a small thing or situation that is not intended to be political at all, can
become political.

Ex. Braiding of hair.

 • Braiding of hair may just be a form of hairstyle to others, but in a political viewpoint,
braiding is connected or is part of the culture of the blacks, to which particular braiding
techniques such as cornrows and box braids is used as an escape by the black community.
“There is a cacophonous sound in Political Science”
- there is no uniformity or clear definition of Political Science because different political
scientists defines Political Science differently due to its relation to other branches of
knowledge.

The Relationship of Political Science to Other Branches of Knowledge

• There are many academic disciplines or branches of knowledge that Political Science is related
to. This is a manifestation that man is indeed complex and that’s why a single branch of
knowledge or study isn’t enough in studying humans. These branches of knowledge are:

1. History
- A branch of knowledge that studies and deals with past events and happenings.
“History without Political Science has no fruit, Political Science without History has no
root” – John Robert Seeley.
- History provides study material to Political Science, which serves as the foundation in
studying political events, political movements, and relations.

- Political Science and History looks at past events involving people from different
viewpoints. By studying past events and studying the experiences of people, leaders and
officials will know what to avoid, such as past mistakes of the last administration.
Political Science helps History in understanding historical facts. History gives context to
Politics.
2. Anthropology
- A branch of knowledge that studies people or humans.

- In Political Science, Political Scientists uses Anthropology to study one’s culture and
how it affect one’s behavior.
- Anthropology examines cultures within a society and theorizes about how those cultures
affect society.

3. Economics
- The study of the production, distribution, and conservation, and consumption of wealth.

- Political scientists examine such economic issues as the effects government policy has on
the economy, the role money plays in campaigns, and how nations arrive at trade
agreements.
- Scientists uses or adopts an “economic approach” when seeking to interpret “public
financial policies” and government regulation of business.
- The economic life and conditions of a state requires decisions which are based and result
in political action and policies.

Ex. Taxation (?).

4. Sociology
- The study of human social relationships, society, and is concerned of human societies.
 - Sociology provides a study material to political science to better understand societal
issues and problems.

5. Psychology
- The scientific study of the mind and behavior

- In political science, you can use a Psychological Approach to understand public opinion,
pressure groups, and propaganda. Also, used to explain why people or a certain group
supports a particular candidate or party.
- Scientists believes that studying human behavior contributes to understanding political
institutions.

Ex. By understanding the mind of leaders, you’ll get to understand their way of
leadership and their government.

Other Ex. Understanding the mind of leaders, such as Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler,
you’ll might understand why they rule or handle a state in such vicious and gruesome
manner.

6. Philosophy
- An academic discipline that seeks truth, the ultimate question about the reality, the good
and the meaning of life.

- Philosophy provides the knowledge of ideal human behavior, political values, good and
bad in political theory, and right and wrong laws.
- Philosophy is used to understand or give insight on for example, understand the essence
of democracy, communism, and etc.

State
- A community permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, having a government
to which the inhabitants render obedience and enjoying freedom.
Ex. Philippines.
4 Essential Elements of State
1. People
- It refers to the mass population that inhabits or lives within a state.
- Without people, there can be no one to govern and there will be no one to be governed.

Is there a limitation in regards to the population or number of people?

- None, as long as they are capable of self-defense and procreation.
2. Territory
- It refers to the fixed portion of land that is under the jurisdiction of the state, in which
inhabited by the people of the state.
- The geographical profile of a state that include the land, waters, and the air space above
it.

Three Different Areas of Territory

- Terrestrial = Land
- Fluvial = Waters
- Aerial = Air/Space
 - Maritime = Sea

What is the difference between Fluvial and Maritime?

- Fluvial refers to the waters therein of the state such as lakes, rivers, etc. While, maritime
refers to the oceans that are outside of the state. (?)

Is there a limitation in Aerial?

- No, everyone can explore the air space, as long as it benefits the people or mankind.

3. Government
- It refers to the agency in which the will of the state is formulated, expressed, and carried
out.
- The machinery of the state and the “administration”.
- Citizens are part of the state, not the government.
4. Sovereignty
- The supreme power of the state to command and enforce obedience.

Two manifestations of Sovereignty

 Internal – Refers to the power of the state to rule within its territory.

Ex. The Philippine Laws are only applicable to the Philippines and to its citizens.

 External – Refers to the freedom of the state to carry out its activities without being
subjected to external control.
- Other states cannot interfere in the affairs of another state.

Ex. The drug war of the Duterte Administration, other states cannot interfere about this
because it is an internal issue of the country or Philippines.

Two Non-Essential Elements of the State

1. Sufficient Degree of Civilization

2. Recognition
- A political act of a state that acknowledges the accomplishments, act, and status another
states.

Not that it is not essential, but it is not as essential as the four elements of a state.
The absence of this doesn’t make a state less of a state.

Origins of the State

Five Theories on the Origin of the State.
“The Current Political System did not blossom into being overnight”
- The state or the system we have right now did not happen or did not come into being with
just a blink of an eye or a snap of a finger; everything happens with a process.

1. Divine Right Theory

- A state that is of divine creation. A state formed where the leader or the ruler is ordained
by God to rule and govern the people.
 - This is a God-centered theory.

2. Social Contract Theory

- A state that is formed by deliberation and voluntary compact among the people to form a
government and a state for their common good.
- This is a people-centered theory.

3. Necessity or Force Theory

- A state formed because of conquest, subjugation, and coercion. Literally, a state formed
or created through force.
- Conquest & Coercion, the subjugation and assumption of control of a place or people by
use of military force.

4. Patriarchal Theory
- A state formed where the state is ruled by men. A state where men dominates, rule, and is
superior.
- This is a man-centered theory.

5. Paternalistic Theory
- A state formed by the enlargement of a family which remained under the authority of a
mother or father, through which the family becomes a clan, then a tribe, then a nation,
lastly a state.
- Procreation, the ability of the state to produce or bear a child. To bring forth an
offspring.

State vs. Nation vs. Nation-State

1. State
- A community of person occupying a definite territory, independent from external control
and possessing an organized government, to which the inhabitants render obedience.
- A Political and Legal concept.
- It is a State if it possesses the four essential elements of a state. (People, Territory,
Government, and Sovereignty).

Ex. Philippines

2. Nation
- A group of people bound together by certain characteristics, such as race, culture, origin,
language, customs, and tradition.
- A Ethnic and Cultural concept.
- It is a nation if it do not possess even one of the four essential elements of the state.
Nation is synonymous to people.

Ex. Kurdistan – it is a nation because Kurdistan do not have a permanent or definite

territory. Kurdistan is the world’s largest nation.

3. Nation-State
- A group of homogenous person occupying a sovereign state.
- The idea of a homogenous nation governed by its own sovereign state.

Philippines.
- It is a State because it embodies the four element of the state, which are the People,
Territory, Government, and Sovereignty.
 - It is a Nation because Philippines has people that are bound by certain characteristics,
such as ethnic groups or tribes.
- It is a Nation-State because it is homogenous and it has a uniform structure.

Inherent Powers of the State

- Power that is given to the state or organized political body.
- This powers are inherent because as long as the State exist, these powers cannot be taken
away. It means that it exist in something as permanent.

Police Power
- It is basic right of the state to make and enact laws and regulations for the benefit of the
community.
- President, Congress, Legislative Council, and Administrative Agencies (PNP, NBI) are
the one who are part of the police power and is the one who have the power to legislate.

The Two Dicta of Police Power

1. Salus Populi Est Suprema Lex

- The welfare of the people is the supreme law.

2. Sic Utere Tuo Ut Alienum No Laedas

- Act in such a manner not to injure another’s right.

Power of Taxation
- It is the basic right of the state to impose burden and charges upon people, property, and
property rights to use and support the government to be able to carry out its functions.
- Without tax, the government cannot function. Taxes are important because it is used by
the government to finance social projects.

“Without taxes, the government would be paralyzed for lack of motive power to
activate and operate it.” – Lifeblood Doctrine

Power of Eminent Domain

- The basic right of the state to acquire private property for public interest upon payment of
just compensation.
- Before the state can acquire a private property, the state shall accomplish the three
requisites first.

Three Requisites of Eminent Domain

1. There must be necessity in acquiring private property.
2. Must be for public use or interest.
3. There must be payment of just compensation.

Will the state help the owner relocation?

- No, because there is already payment of just compensation.
If the owner refuses to move or relocate to another area, what will the state do?
- Eminent of Domain Case will be filed if the owner refuses to abide by the “Power of
Eminent Domain” even if the requisites are accomplished.

Is Voting a Right or Privilege?

 - It is both a right and a privilege. It is a right because everyone can exercise it and
everyone has the right of suffrage, and it is a privilege because only above 18 can
exercise their right to vote.
Amicable Settlement
- A deal which comes from a consensual agreement of the parties in a negotiation process.
- Agreement between people.
Ipso Facto
- By the very fact itself; inevitable result
- “Automatically”

Ex. If you are born in the Philippines, therefore you’ll acquire Filipino citizenship.
Doctrine Of Parens Patriae
- This doctrine allows the state to step in and serve as a guardian for those individuals who
are abused, discriminated, neglected, and can’t defend themselves. This doctrine is not
applicable to those who have guardian or parents.
- Individuals like Children 17 years old below, Senior Citizens, and even Children that are
18 years old that has mental illness and is physically disabled.

Government
- Derived from the Latin word, “Gubernaculum” (Rudder).
- Just like the rudder of a ship, it propels the ship forwards, the same with government
because it propels the state forward to betterment.

- An agency through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed, and carried out.

Classifications of Government Based on Legitimacy – Pertains to legality.

1. De Jure Govt.
- A classification of government that is established by the constitution, has a legal title, and
is supported by the people.

2. De Facto Govt.
- A classification of government that is not established by the constitution, it has no legal
title, and is not supported by the people.
- Exercising power or control without title.

What makes De Facto Govt. possible?

- Revolution & Insurrection (Internal Scope), Usurpation & People Power (It revolves
around the people), and Invasion (External Scope).

Other Ex. Coup d’état.

In what way will the De Jure Govt. become a De facto Govt.? What are the 3
factors?
- Rebellion, People Power, and Invasion.

Forms of Government
1. As to the number of the persons exercising sovereign power.

Monarchy
- A form of government in which the supreme and final authority is in the hands of a single
person, known as a Monarch.
 - A state or country having a King or Queen as their head of state.

Ex. Queen Elizabeth II of Britain

 Absolute Monarchy
- A type of Monarchy in which the ruler rules by divine right.
- A monarchy that is not limited or restrained by any written law or the constitution.
- The head of the state and the head of the government is the Monarch.

Is Absolute Monarchy still exist to this day?

- No, only Limited Monarchy. (?)

 Limited Monarchy
- A type of monarchy in which the ruler rules in accordance with a constitution.
- A monarchy that is limited by laws and a constitution.
- The head of the state is the Monarch, while the head of the government is an elected
prime minister.

Aristocracy
- A form of government in which the political power is exercised by few privileged class.
- Aristocracies are comprised of individual best fit to rule because of their nobility.

- According to Plato, Aristocracy is the best form of government.

- Aristocrats are said to be the most qualified to rule because of their moral and intellectual
superiority.

Is it still possible to have Aristocracy?

- No, because it will be hard to find that “someone” to rule a state, now that there are
billions of us in the world.

Democracy
- A form of government in which the political power is exercised by a majority of people.
- A government in which it depends on the will of the people.
- In a democracy, people expect the government to work for their welfare.

- “Demos” = People
“Kratos” = Power

 Direct or Pure Democracy

- A type of democracy in which the will of the state is formulated or expressed directly and
immediately through the people.
- It involves the public directly in making decisions, through a mass meeting or primary
assembly rather than having representatives.

 Indirect or Representative/Republican Democracy

- A type of democracy in which the will of the state is formulated and expressed through
the agency of a relatively small body of persons or representatives.
- A political system in where the representatives act on behalf of the citizens.

2. As to extent of powers exercised by the central or national government.

Unitary Government
- A form of government in which the control of national and local affairs are exercised by
the central or national government.
- Power is not shared between states, counties, or provinces.

Unitary Government = Centralized Government

Federalism Government
- A form of government in which the power is divided between the national or central
government and local state governments.
- A system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of
government.

Philippines is Quasi-Federal, because Philippines is seemingly federal but not really

federal.

3. As to relationship between the executive and the legislative branches of the government

Parliamentary Government
- A form of government in which the official head of state or entire executive branch has
little or no role in actual governing.
- All decision of governance are managed by a legislative body or the Parliament.
- The Prime Minister has the real power.
Presidential Government
- A form of government in which the official head of state is the President, who will
govern the overall state.
- A system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the
legislature.

Article II Section 1
- The Philippines is a democratic and republican state.

The Philippines is a Democratic and Republican, Unitary and Quasi-Federal, and

Presidential Government.

The Philippines is both a Direct Democracy and Indirect Democracy.

- It is direct, because we take initiatives in enacting laws. For example, petitions, if the
petitions acquired 12% of signatures from registered voters, that petition will be directed
to the Supreme Court.
- It is indirect, because we have the right to suffrage and we can elect officials or
representatives to represent us in the congress.