Introduction to:

The Concepts of

POLITICS and
GOVERNANCE
Prepared by: Ms. Andrea M. Ibañez, LPT
 PLTOICI
S
POLITICS
LERU FO
AWL
RULE OF
LAW
 GROVEANNC
E
GOVERNANC
E
 TARPCNSREAN
Y
TRANSPARENCY
RESPENOISVEENS
S
RESPONSIVENES
S
 ORIGIN OF
POLITICS
● POLIS – city-state
● POLITES – citizens
● POLITIKOS – government officials
(Zaide, 1983)
POLITICS
● is derived from the Greek
word polis which means
“city-state”, a small
independent self- contained
political society.
POLITICS
● “the heart of Political Science”

● It is the activity of people

where they create, preserve
and amend laws under which
they live.
 POLITICS as the art of
government

● Politics is what defines the activities

of the government and of the state.
All government officials and all those
working in government are
participating in politics.
POLITICS as public affair
● Politics is played by everybody,
politicians or not.
● In politics, Aristotle said that “man by
nature is a political animal;” this means
that it is only within a political
community that human beings can live
the good life.
● Thus, politics becomes necessary to
create a just society.
 POLITICS as compromise
and consensus

Politics is meant to resolve conflict.

In politics, compromise, conciliation and negotiation
become necessary.
It is through these means that issues and problems are
being resolved.
Thus, politics becomes the process of conflict resolution.
 POLITICS as power
Politics happens in all human
interactions: within the family, among
friends, among officemates, etc.
Politics can, therefore, be seen as
struggle over scarce resources, and
power can be seen as the means
through which struggle is conducted.
 Political Sciences

Politics
● Focuses its study on the actual actions or decisions of ● An academic discipline deals with the theoretical study
the state. of the state and government.

● Politics is concerned with issues, problems and ● A political scientist observes how the state makes
activities of the state while political science is decision, and how the state’s decision affects people.
concerned on how the state originated, its nature and
its functions.

In the modern perspectives, political science studies politics. The state and government are the key
factors in the study of political science and politics.

Thus, political science cannot be differentiated from politics.

5 REASONS TO STUDY POLITICS
1. Politics will help you to know your rights.
2. Politics clarifies what you yourself believes.
3. Politics is a living, breathing subject.
4. Politics helps you to understand our nation’s
parties.
5. Politics prepares you for adult life.
HOW POLITICS CAN BE
STUDIED?
1. NORMATIVE vs. POSITIVE APPROACH
Focuses in answering the questions:

(What is?) Positive Approach Example:

“The Department of Education documented more than 1,700 cases of child abuse and bullying in
school year 2013-2014.”

(What should be?) Normative Approach Example:

“Bullying and other forms of violence in schools should be viewed not just a school problem but a
societal problem as well.”
2. BEHAVIORAL APPROACH
Focuses on the study of the individual (voter, leader, party leader, etc.) particularly the
actors of the political system, their emotions, biases and predispositions.

Behaviorists, therefore, study the political process by looking at how it relates or

influences the individual’s behavior, motivations, personalities or feelings of human actors
(Orji, 2009).
3. RATIONAL CHOICE APPROACH
Focuses on the study of human behavior, wherein individuals
are motivated by their wants, their self-interest or goals which will
explain their preferences.

Furthermore, according to this approach, humans act to

maximize their outcome, that is, to get the most benefit and profit
from their actions.
 What is GOVERNANCE?
● the action of the government.

● “the process of decision-making and the

process by which decisions are
implemented.” (Sheng, UNESCAP)
● “a government’s ability to make and enforce rule and to
deliver services, regardless of whether the government is
democratic or not.” -Fukuyama (2013)

● In the early Indian history, back to at least 400 B.C,

governance includes emphasizing justice, ethics and anti-
autocratic tendencies.
● Moreover, World Bank (2007) defines governance as “the
manner in which public officials and institutions acquire and
exercise the authority to shape public policy and provide public
goods and services.”

NOTE:
Decisions should
not be influenced
by interest of the
few, values and
preference.
8 CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD
GOVERNANCE
Accountable
Consensus Transparent
Oriented

Participatory GOOD Responsive

GOVERNANCE
Follows the
Rule of Law Equitable and
Effective and Inclusive
Efficient
1. Participation - active involvement of all
affected and interested
parties in the decision-
making process
2. Rule of Law - legal frameworks should be
fair and enforced
impartially.
3. Transparency - free flow of information.

4. Responsiveness - Serve all stakeholders.

5. Consensus Oriented - Mediates differing interests.

6. Equity and Inclusiveness - all its members have

opportunities to improve or
maintain their well-being.

7. Effectiveness and Efficiency - produce results that meet

needs while making the
best use of resources
8. Accountability - Accountable to the public.
 THANK
YOU FOR
LISTENIN
-Ma’am
Andrea