Imad-Eddine Akachar (2738125)

Political science

Lecture 1

a) Using the conducted theme of Mills that argued power in the United States is concentrated
in the hands of a small, interconnected group of political, economic, and military elite. This
idea is mentioned as “The Power Elite.”

Examining the theory Power Elite and the relation to Risjord’s themes. We can conclude that
the idea Power elite can be related to Naturalism, Reductionism and Normativity. Naturalism
can be seen within the theory of power elite as embracing it this is done through the
examining of empirical realities and power structures within society. Also has Mills used an
empirical analyses to identify the individuals and institution in the forming of power elite.
Taking a look at reductionism Mills theory simplifies the complex interactions within society
by focusing on a select group of elite. However, he does acknowledge the multifaceted nature
of power dynamics he therefore interplays between economic, political and military elites,
which gives a nuanced perspective. Taking the other theme of Risjord about nomrativity, the
power elite also implicates normative implications. It acknowledges that the power is in the
hands of a few, question the democratic ideals. This normative questions the democratic
health and the potential consequences of elite dominance.

As we can conclude that the theory aligns with risjord themes by employing naturalistic
methods to study power structures with the incorporation of reductionism for analytical clarity
and using normative implications

b) The quote above has a critiques on the application of rational choice models in political
science and raises concerns about the efficiency in providing meaningful insights. In the
context of demarcation criteria there is particularly a verification criterion proposed in which
there is a logical positivist which is evident in the critique. Diving deeper into the verification
criterion there is an central tenet of logical positivism as we can conclude that an statement or
theory is only meaningful if it can empirically verified in principle, so it can be subjected to
an empirical verification. Within the quote it implies a skepticism about the ability of rational
choice models in political scientific to meet this criterion effectively. As the critique
empathizes the lack of clear, it arrest prediction in rational choice models that align with a
Imad-Eddine Akachar (2738125)
Political science
real-world political phenomena. As the reference "specified in ways that make clear, arresting
predictions" it alludes to the logical positivist which test the empirical testability. Therefore,
the statement about rational choice theorist, makes specifying models vaguely or it can lead to
recycling conventional wisdom to a lack of precision that hampers empirical verification.
Also the predictions of rational choice models contradict observed political behavior. An
example which can be shown is that egoistic rational maximizers should not vote contradicts
the empirical reality of widespread political participation, including voting and engaging
collective political activities. As it can be concluded that the critiques in the quote aligns with
logical positivists verification criterion by highlighting the challenges in empirically verifying
and validating the predictions and assumptions made by rational choice models in political
science.

c) Karl Popper's falsification criterion, which is a key component of his philosophy of science,
is the subject of the given quote. The criterion of falsification states that in order for a
scientific theory to be considered meaningful and scientific, it must be able to be disproved,
i.e., there must be conditions that permit its falsification through empirical proof.
Within the context of the quote.
The critique points out that rational choice models are often vague, making them compatible
with all possible outcomes. A theory that can accommodate any outcome is less likely to be
proven false, according to Popper. It's tough to test a theory with all its possibilities when it's
so flexible it's impossible to deny it.
There are contradictions with empirical findings, as Popper emphasizes the importance of
empirical testing and the possibility of falsification. The supposition that egoistic rationalists
wouldn't vote is incompatible with the observed trend of widespread political engagement.
The reference to intimidating mathematics resulting in a misleading appearance of rigor is
relevant to Popper's criteria. The formal structure of a theory can be enhanced by
mathematics, but if the underlying assumptions and predictions are unclear or ambiguous, the
mathematical proficiency may serve as a cover-up rather than contributing to empirical
verifiability.
The critique in the quote aligns with Karl Popper's falsification criteria by highlighting issues
related to the absence of precise predictions, ambiguity, contradictions with empirical
findings, and the potential misuse of mathematical formalities in rational choice models in
political science
Imad-Eddine Akachar (2738125)
Political science

Lecture 2

a. In our research for the course Research Project Political Science 1, we reached the
following conclusion: Based on the three main findings, the reporting on PVV and Geert
Wilders in Vandaag Inside was predominantly positive. The research question focused on
how this reporting influenced the perception of the Party for Freedom (PVV) during the 2023
Dutch general election. It is difficult to provide a definitive answer to this question as the
perception of the party is influenced by various factors. However, the reporting on Vandaag
Inside suggested that viewers should have a primarily positive perception of Geert Wilders as
a debater, person, and charismatic figure. This positive portrayal of Geert Wilders as a
politician is expected to have a positive impact not only on him but also on the PVV party.

b. When conducting research from a feminist perspective, there is often an inherent value
judgment involved. This value judgment is necessary as it allows us to address and examine
discriminatory and unjust perspectives in order to conduct the research effectively.

c. Thick moral concepts are specific concepts that combine factual information with moral
judgments. Environmental friendliness is an example of such a concept. It not only refers to
whether a product or person respects the environment in a factual sense but also implies that
protecting the environment is seen as desirable or good.
Imad-Eddine Akachar (2738125)
Political science

Lecture 3

a.What is the problem of construct validity? How do realists and anti-realists (or
instrumentalists) differ with respect to dealing with this problem?

Construct validity is concerned with how well a concept or construct accurately reflects the
theoretical idea or phenomenon it is meant to measure. Realists and anti-realists have different
approaches to this problem. Therefore, Realists maintain the belief that social constructs, such
as concepts or theories, possess an objective reality that exists independently of human
perception. They assert that these constructs should closely align with this reality in order to
ensure their validity. Realists place great emphasis on the development of precise definitions
and measurement techniques that are grounded in empirical evidence, as this enables them to
accurately capture the underlying phenomena. On the other hand, anti-realists argue that
social constructs are subjective and contingent upon human interpretation. They view
constructs as tools or instruments that are utilized to interpret and comprehend social
phenomena, rather than as direct reflections of an objective reality. Consequently, anti-realists
may adopt a more flexible approach to construct validity, prioritizing the usefulness and
practicality of constructs rather than their alignment with an external reality.

b. A society, organization,or group may have characteristics that its members are unaware of,
but that nonetheless explain certain phenomena in that society, organization, or group. Try to
give an example of such a characteristic. Does this example violate Alfred Schutz’s postulate
of adequacy?
Why/why not?

Unconscious biases are a characteristic that people in a society, organization, or group may
not realize they have, but these biases can explain certain things. They are attitudes or
stereotypes that affect how people see things, make decisions, and behave without them even
knowing it. For example, in a workplace, unconscious biases can lead to differences in hiring,
promotions, or performance evaluations without employees realizing they are biased. This
example doesn't necessarily go against Alfred Schutz's idea of adequacy. Schutz's idea
Imad-Eddine Akachar (2738125)
Political science
focuses on understanding the personal meanings and motivations of people in a social context.
Even though individuals may not be aware of their unconscious biases, these biases still shape
how they see things and act, which affects social interactions and outcomes. Schutz's idea
allows for recognizing that unconscious influences on behavior are part of the larger social
reality.

c. Suppose a social scientist tries to describe and understand ‘Dutch university student
culture’ using Clifford Geertz’ idea of ‘thick description’. What are two possible criticisms of
this approach?

Two potential critiques of using Clifford Geertz's concept of "thick description" to

comprehend "Dutch university student culture" are as follows:
1. Subjectivity and Interpretation: Critics may argue that thick description heavily relies on
the researcher's interpretive skills and biases, which could result in subjective interpretations
of cultural phenomena. Different researchers may provide varying thick descriptions of the
same cultural context, raising concerns about the reliability and objectivity of this approach.
2. Lack of Contextualization: Thick description may prioritize detailed descriptions of
specific cultural practices or behaviors without adequately contextualizing them within
broader social, historical, or political dynamics. Critics may argue that this narrow focus
could overlook significant structural factors that shape cultural norms and behaviors, limiting
the depth of understanding gained solely from thick description.

d.Read Stephen Metcalf’s review of Ezra Klein’sWhy We’re Polarized (digital reader:
Metcalf.pdf). What does Metcalf’s main criticism of Klein have to do with the contrast
between naturalism/empiricism on the one hand and interpretivism on the other as
discussedby Risjord in chapter 3?

In Stephen Metcalf's review of Ezra Klein's "Why We're Polarized," his primary criticism of
Klein pertains to the contrast between naturalism/empiricism and interpretivism, as discussed
by Risjord. Metcalf criticizes Klein for adopting a reductionist, data-driven approach that
prioritizes quantitative analysis and empirical evidence over nuanced interpretation and
understanding of social and political phenomena. Metcalf argues that Klein's emphasis on
data and statistics neglects the intricate social, cultural, and historical factors that contribute to
Imad-Eddine Akachar (2738125)
Political science
political polarization. This criticism reflects the tension between naturalistic/empirical
approaches that prioritize quantitative data and interpretivist approaches that emphasize
qualitative analysis and contextual understanding.