The politics companion

330 Pages·2008·3.057 MB·English

by  Leach, Robert

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P algrave Student Companions are a one-stop reference resource
that provide essential information for students about the subject –
and the course – they’ve chosen to study.
Friendly and authoritative, Palgrave Student Companions support
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The English Language and Linguistics Companion
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The Politics Companion
The Psychology Companion
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© Robert Leach 2008
All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transmission of this publication may be
made without written permission. No paragraph of this publication may be reproduced,
copied or transmitted save with written permission or in accordance with the provisions
of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, or under the terms of any licence
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Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to
criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
The author has asserted his right to be identifi ed as the author of this work in accordance
with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
First published 2008 by
PALGRAVE MACMILLAN
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175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010
Companies and representatives throughout the world
PALGRAVE MACMILLAN is the global academic imprint of the Palgrave
Macmillan division of St. Martin’s Press, LLC and of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.
Macmillan® is a registered trademark in the United States, United Kingdom
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ISBN-13: 9780230517905 paperback
ISBN-10: 0230517900 paperback
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Printed and bound in China
Brief contents
Introduction 1
Part I Studying Politics 5
Section 1 What is politics really about? 7
Section 2 What to expect from your politics course 18
Section 3 Study skills 29
Part II Theories and Approaches to the Study of Politics 53
Section 1 The evolution of the study of politics 55
Section 2 Theories, models and approaches in modern
political science 80
Part III Key Political Terms and Concepts 109
Part IV Key Thinkers 167
Part V Key Research and Debates 211
Part VI What Next? 265
Part VII Resources for Studying Politics 275
Section 1 Resources for politics students 277
Section 2 Guidance on further reading 283
Section 3 Bibliography and references 288
brief contents v
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Contents
List of boxes xi
Preface xiii
Introduction 1
Part I Studying Politics 5
Introduction 6
Section 1: What is politics really about? 7
Politics is about government? 8
Politics is about governing, or governance? 8
Politics is about the state? 9
Politics is about power? 10
Politics is about confl ict? 13
Politics is about confl ict and consensus? 14
Politics is about ideas and principles? 15
So what is politics? 17
Section 2: What to expect from your politics course 18
Th e main elements of a politics degree course 18
Choosing a university, degree course and options 21
Study abroad, placements and internships 27
If you are not happy with your course 27
Section 3: Study skills 29
Critical thinking, objectivity and bias in the study of politics 29
Time management (and taking responsibility for your own learning) 31
Making the most of lectures, seminars and tutorials 32
Researching topics, using books, articles, the internet and other sources 34
Note-making 37
Quantitative and IT skills 38
Writing essays and other assignments 38
Referencing 40
Plagiarism (and how to avoid it) 42
Oral presentations 44
Group projects 47
Dissertations and long essays 48
Tackling examinations 50
contents vii
Part II Theories and Approaches to the Study of Politics 53
Introduction 54
Section 1: Th e evolution of the study of politics 55
Th e contribution of Greece and Rome 55
Church and state, the implications of religious belief for politics 59
Enlightenment, progress and modernity 63
Liberalism, capitalism and democracy 68
Th e Marxist challenge 74
Section 2: Th eories, models and approaches in modern political science 80
Elitism and pluralism 80
Behaviouralism 84
Comparative politics 87
Rational choice (or public choice) theory 90
From old to new institutionalism 93
Political philosophy 96
Postmodernism 98
Feminist approaches to the study of politics 101
International relations 103
Conclusion: the state of the discipline today 107
Part III Key Political Terms and Concepts 109
Full list of terms and concepts 109
Introduction 110
Terms and concepts 111–166
Part IV Key Thinkers 167
Full list of thinkers 167
Introduction 168
Th inkers 169–210
Part V Key Research and Debates 211
Introduction 212
Public opinion, political culture and democracy 213
Elections and voting 216
Political parties and party systems 220
Pressure groups and social movements 226
Political communication 231
Public administration and public sector management 236
Public policy and governance 239
Identity politics 243
Multiculturalism 248
Democratization 252
Globalization 257
International relations in the twenty-fi rst century 261
viii contents
Part VI What Next? 265
Introduction 266
Planning for the future 267
What can you do with a politics degree? 267
Making the most of your knowledge and skills 268
Choosing a career 269
Applying for posts 270
Further study 271
A lifetime’s interest and involvement in politics 273
Part VII Resources for Studying Politics 275
Introduction 276
Section 1: Resources for politics students 277
Books and catalogues 277
Academic journals 278
Newspapers and magazines 279
Television, radio, video and other sources 279
Th e internet 280
Politics associations and other relevant organizations 281
Section 2: Guidance on further reading 283
Further reading for Part I 283
Further reading for Part II 284
Further reading for Part III 284
Further reading for Part IV 285
Further reading for Part V 286
Section 3: References and bibliography 288
Index 303
contents ix