APPROACHES-TO-THE-STUDY-OF-POLITICS-2.pptx

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1. APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICS The Traditional Approaches MOD2 UNIT1

2. INTRODUCTION Political problems have been subjected to different kinds of analysis from time to time. Various explanatory methods have been followed to increase our understanding of the politics. Therefore, an approach provides framework for explanation and prediction. Presentation Title 2 According to Vandyke, approach means to denote the criteria employed in selecting the questions to ask and the data to consider in political enquiry. Approach – a way of dealing with something or a way of doing or thinking about something. (Merriam-Webster.com) 20XX

3. OBJECTIVES Identify the Normative Approach to the Study of Politics Identify the Institutional Approaches to the Study of Politics State the Features of the Classical Institutional Approach Identify the Varieties of the Institutionalism or the Institutional Approach State the Criticism of the Traditional Approaches Presentation Title 3 By the end of the unit, you should be able to:

4. TRADITIONAL APPROACHES 4 20XX NORMATIVE APPROACH

5. Gerry Stoker (1995) Normative political approach is concerned with the discovery and application of moral notions in the sphere of political relations and practice as it deals with the inquiry into the problems of man and society Leo Strauss (1969) The Traditional Approaches 5 20XX “ it is the attempt to know both the nature of political things and the right or the good political conduct (through) critical and coherent analysis ”

6. The subject matter of the normative approach has principally remained the state – its evolution, organization and purpose. Consequently , the normative political approach has been described as the least scientific sub-discipline of political science. The Traditional Approaches 6

7. The Traditional Approaches 7 20XX Normative discussions in the Philippines could revolve around ethical governance and anti-corruption efforts. Scholars and advocates might emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and good governance in the country’s political institutions.

8. TRADITIONAL APPROACHES 8 20XX INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH

9. Gerry Stoker (1995) The institutional approach to the study of the political process is concerned with the rules, procedures and formal organizations of the political system and their impact on political practice The Traditional Approaches 9 20XX What this perspective has actually led to and encouraged is the much emphasis or premium place on institutions at the expense of the individuals. The use of the institutional approach has encouraged the practice where it is institutions that fail and individuals that occupy them, a reality that has not encouraged individual accountability.

10. FEATURES OF THE CLASSICAL INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH descriptive-inductive The Traditional Approach 10 20XX f ormal-legal h istorical-comparative p olitical values

11. Features of the Classical Institutional Approach The hallmark of descriptive-inductive is “ hyperfactualism ” or “reverence of facts” (Easton,1971) In other words, in carrying out political analysis, “ the fact stood paramount ” (Landau, 1979, p. 133 cf. Stoker 1995) The great virtue of institutions was that: “They appeared as REAL. They were CONCRETE, they could be POINTED TO, OBSERVED, TOUCHED. They could be EXAMINED for their operations. And what could, be more logical, more natural, than to turn to the concreteness of institutions, the facts of their existence, the character of their actions and the exercise of their power (Landau, 1979: 181 cf. Stoker, 1995). Hallmark- character, feature, particularity, specific, trait, point, stamp 11 Descriptive - Inductive

12. Features of the Classical Institutional Approach Induction has been defined as “ the process by which the scientist forms a theory to explain the observed facts ” ( Kemeny ; 1959:53). It is the practice of inferring generalizations from past occurrences which then shaped expectations for the future. The approach is inductive because we draw interferences from repeated actions. Features of the Classical Institutional Approach 12 Descriptive - I nductive

13. FORMAL- LEGAL Formal-Legal Inquiry involves two phases. (Eckstein, 1972) “One is the study of public law: hence the term legal . The other involves the study of formal governmental organs: hence formal. “ ( Cf. Stoker, 1995: 44) Features of the Classical Institutional Approach 13 20XX

14. A. The Study of Public Law The Concept Rule of Law “those who entrusted with administration of a country should rule and exercise their authority in accordance with the established laws of the land; and such established laws should b regarded as supreme” (Dicey, 1885, cf. Fasuba , 1976) Dicey described three meanings to the idea. These are: Formal-Legal 14 The study of public law is an essenti al ingredient in the analysis of constitution and formal organizations (Stoker, 1995). It deals with the following: 20XX

15. A. The Study of Public Law Absence of Arbitrary Power the absolute supremacy or predominance of regular law as opposed to the influence of arbitrary power, and excludes the existence of arbitrariness, of prerogative, or even of wide discretionary authority on the part of the government. This means before a person can be punished, his/her offense must first be ascertained and proved by the ordinary court of the land. 15 The Concept Rule of Law 20XX

16. A. The Study of Public Law Equality before the Law equality before the law or the equal subjection of all classes to the ordinary law of the land administered by the ordinary law courts. No man should be above the law . However, in the modern system of governments some persons are totally or partially immune from any offense they might commit. For example, in the Philippines, a Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than 6 years imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. 16 The Concept Rule of Law 20XX

17. A. The Study of Public Law The Rights of Individuals the rights of the individuals actually give meaning to the constitution. The constitution cannot be regarded as the source of rights of the individuals but the constitution itself is based on the rights of the individual. In other words, legal rights of individual citizen are inherent and not acquired by guaranteed rights proclaimed in formal codes. Anybody who tampered with the operation of those liberties will face remedies whether they be officials or private citizens. 17 The Concept Rule of Law 20XX

18. A. The Study of Public Law ii) Legal Protection Rights Political rights enjoyed by the people in a democratic country/society and enshrined in the constitution are usually protected by certain legal devices such as: The Right to Fair Hearing ( Audi alteram Partem ) The Rule against Bias ( Nemo judex in Causa Sua ) Formal-Legal 18 The study of public law is an essenti al ingredient in the analysis of constitution and formal organizations (Stoker, 1995). It deals with the following: 20XX

19. A. The Study of Public Law iii) Legal Remedies A remedy is therefore a compensation for the violation of legal rights. Remedies reverse wrong decisions and make appropriate decisions to correct legal injustices. These remedies include: The Order of Habeas Corpus The Writ of Prohibitions The Writ of Mandamus The Writ of Injunctions Formal-Legal 19 The study of public law is an essenti al ingredient in the analysis of constitution and formal organizations (Stoker, 1995). It deals with the following: 20XX

20. B. The Study of Constitutional Structure The formal-legal approach covers the study of written constitutional documents. It specifies the types and characteristics of government, and the limits of, as well as relationships between, various institutions and organs of government. For example, in the 1987 Constitution, of the Philippines, National Institutions such as the Office of the President, OVP, Supreme Court of the Philippines, etc. were created. 20 A constitution shows the basic duties of the country’s leaders and citizens. It specifies the types and characteristics of government, and the limits of, as well as relationships between various institutions and organs of government. 20XX

21. HISTORICAL-COMPARATIVE A key element of the institutional approach is the historical-comparative method. Here , political analyst seeks to develop testable generalizations by examining political phenomena across different political systems or historically within the same political system. Features of the Classical Institutional Approach 21 20XX

22. ARISTOTLE’S CLASSIFICATORY SCHEME Features of the Classical Institutional Approach 22 Aristotle identified the social character of rulers in the four types with more than one leader. Oligarchy is ruled by the rich, an aristocracy by the virtuous, democracy is government by the poor. RULE BY FORM ONE FEW MANY GENUINE KINGSHIP ARISTOCRACY POLITY PERVERTED TYRANNY OLIGARCHY DEMOCRACY

23. HISTORICAL - COMPARATIVE 1 . It enables us to make meaning of the diversity or differences within the political systems, 2. it helps us to improve our classifications o political processes and institutions, 3. and it gives us some potential for prediction (Almond, G., Powell, B., Strom, K. & Dalton, R., 2007) Presentation Title 23 Comparative method has the ff. advantage

24. POLITICAL VALUES Although, the institutional approach talk so much about its ‘hyper-factualism’ or ‘reverence for facts’, it is a fact to say that, paramount in the study of political institutions is political value - that is, political institutions have strong normative characteristics which of course underpins the discipline of Political Science. Features of th e Classical Institutional Approach 24

25. VARIETIES OF INSTITUTIONALISM CONSTITUTIONAL STUDIES Earlier works on constitutional studies were devoted to issues relating to the basic duties of the country’s leaders and citizens, the types and characteristics of government, and the limits of, as well as relationships between, various institutions and organs of government. PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION Presentation Title 25 Definitions invariably include such phrases as the study of the institutional arrangements for the provision of public services or study of public bureaucracies (cf. Stoker, 1995 ). It concentrated attention on the authorities engaged in public administration, analyzed their history, structure, powers and relationships, including enquiring into how they worked and the degree of effectiveness achieved

26. The conception of leaders as rational actors and formal organizations as instruments generating purposeful, coherent, consistent, and efficient action had much in common with the 1960’s view of policy making as a strategic activity and planning and social engineering as a key process in improving society and building a welfare state. Public Administration 26 Actors were assumed to: Know what they wanted Understand what it takes to achieve their objectives Have the authority, power and resources needed to achieve desired results.

27. Criticisms of the Traditional Approach > The traditional approaches have been criticized as static and oversimplified assumptions about today's reality of the political process. > Weak methods, anti-theoretical, descriptive nature of its product, and underlying prescriptive perspective based on an idealized conception of the virtues of liberal democratic government . > It has been argued that the traditional approach’s concern for ‘ hyperfactualism ’ meant that political scientists suffered from ‘theoretical malnutrition’ and in the process neglected ‘the general framework within which these facts could acquire meaning (Easton, 1971). > This approach has also been accused of formalism or focusing on rules and procedures to the neglect of the actual political behavior. Presentation Title 27

28. SUMMARY TRADITIONAL APPROACHES 28 THANK YOU The traditional approach is one of the central pillars of the discipline of Political Science; indeed, it is foundational to it. Norms, values and facts are the three inextricably enduring phenomena that must be taken seriously and into context in political analysis.

29. SUMMARY The traditional approach is one of the central pillars of the discipline of Political Science; indeed, it is foundational to it. Norms, values and facts are the three inextricably enduring phenomena that must be taken seriously and into context in political analysis . Normative approach often involves assessing political actions against ethical principles, while the institutionalism approach focuses on the structures, rules, and processes within the country’s political institutions. Both approaches provide valuable insights into the study of politics. End of the presentation. Thank you for listening! 29