L2: POLITICAL & LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES
Political Science
It is the systematic study of the state and government. The word “political“ is derived from the Greek word polis, meaning a city, or what today would be the equivalent of a sovereign state. The word “science” comes from the Latin word scire, “to know.”
Political science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, nation, government, politics, and policies of government.
Political Organization
Is any entity that is involved in the political process. The political organization includes political institutions, political parties, and political groups e.g. advocacy groups, interest groups, etc.
4 Main Types of Political Organization
BAND – the basic social unit found in many foraging societies**.**
TRIBES – comprise several bands or lineage groups. They share a similar language and lifestyle.
CHIEFDOMS – a political unit headed of by a chief, who holds power over more than one community group. With more than one community involved, chiefdoms are usually more densely populated.
STATE – a community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, having a government of their own to which the great body of inhabitants render obedience, and enjoying freedom from external control.
Types of Political Authority
Legal authority – is based on a system of rules that is applied administratively and judicially in accordance with known principles
Traditional authority – is based on a system in which authority is legitimate because it “has always existed”. People in power usually enjoy it because they have inherited it.
Charismatic authority – is based on the charisma of the leader, who shows that he possesses the right to lead by virtue of magical powers, prophecies, heroism, etc.
L2: POLITICAL & LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES
Political Science
It is the systematic study of the state and government. The word “political“ is derived from the Greek word polis, meaning a city, or what today would be the equivalent of a sovereign state. The word “science” comes from the Latin word scire, “to know.”
Political science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, nation, government, politics, and policies of government.
Political Organization
Is any entity that is involved in the political process. The political organization includes political institutions, political parties, and political groups e.g. advocacy groups, interest groups, etc.
4 Main Types of Political Organization
BAND – the basic social unit found in many foraging societies**.**
TRIBES – comprise several bands or lineage groups. They share a similar language and lifestyle.
CHIEFDOMS – a political unit headed of by a chief, who holds power over more than one community group. With more than one community involved, chiefdoms are usually more densely populated.
STATE – a community of persons more or less numerous, permanently occupying a definite portion of territory, having a government of their own to which the great body of inhabitants render obedience, and enjoying freedom from external control.
Types of Political Authority
Legal authority – is based on a system of rules that is applied administratively and judicially in accordance with known principles
Traditional authority – is based on a system in which authority is legitimate because it “has always existed”. People in power usually enjoy it because they have inherited it.
Charismatic authority – is based on the charisma of the leader, who shows that he possesses the right to lead by virtue of magical powers, prophecies, heroism, etc.