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History of Political Ideas

The document discusses the history and importance of political science. It begins by explaining how political science emerged as an academic discipline in the 19th century and is manifested today through elections that take place in schools, universities, and local governments. It then defines politics as activities around governance that involve decision making, developing rules and laws, and determining access to resources. Politics is a universal phenomenon present in all human organizations as they involve struggles for power and influence. The document lists several concerns in Kenya that can be addressed through political activity and laws/regulations. Finally, it outlines the importance of political science, including imparting knowledge about governments and administering states, arresting social inequalities, creating democratic values and good citizenship, and

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Joseph Ndung'u
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59 views2 pages

History of Political Ideas

The document discusses the history and importance of political science. It begins by explaining how political science emerged as an academic discipline in the 19th century and is manifested today through elections that take place in schools, universities, and local governments. It then defines politics as activities around governance that involve decision making, developing rules and laws, and determining access to resources. Politics is a universal phenomenon present in all human organizations as they involve struggles for power and influence. The document lists several concerns in Kenya that can be addressed through political activity and laws/regulations. Finally, it outlines the importance of political science, including imparting knowledge about governments and administering states, arresting social inequalities, creating democratic values and good citizenship, and

Uploaded by

Joseph Ndung'u
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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HISTORY OF POLITICAL IDEAS

Just like other social sciences, political science as a discipline emerged after the 19th C. Politics is
manifested in the contemporary society:
• Today, class reps are elected in primary and secondary schools
• In the university we have student unions (governing council)
• Some Universities now do elect chair of departments, deans
• We have county governments-need to understand how policies are developed, need to
study about governance and public decision making

Politics
This has to do with the activities associated with the governance of a country or area. The
governance of an area will require making decisions. Thus politics involve how parties exercise
power. The parties that have power will need to make decisions especially about resources while
developing rules and laws to be followed by the subjects. Politics therefore, defines the world and
drives our lives. It is about deciding who does and does not get access to what the world has to
offer.

Politics goes beyond the activity of government, the political parties and the politicians. Politics is
a universal phenomenon- that is, it is present in all human organization such as the family, trade
unions, corporations, universities, etc. In all these organizations, politics is characterized by
struggle for power and influence, conflict, bargaining, reconciliation, resolution and consensus. It
therefore defines every aspect of our lives.

Political activity is about the exercise of power. Power itself comes in many forms, including the
power to control other people, the power to allocate resources, and the power to manipulate
consequences.

Kenya has various concerns:


• Food security-hunger
• Public security-terrorists attack
• Climate change
• Electoral violence
• Cancer menace
• Sex offences
• Family stability-divorce, single parents, street children
• Clean water
• Employment

Through political activity, the above concerns can be addressed through laws and regulations. Thus
politics is about change
Political Science
Political science as an academic discipline deals with the study of the State and government and
how laws and policies are made/developed. It thus, deals with the state and systems of government;
the scientific analysis of political activity and behaviour.

Why is Political Science Important?


(a) Imparting Knowledge of the State: The primary aim of the study of Political Science is to
inculcate knowledge of the State, its origin, nature, structure and functions.

(b) Imparting Knowledge of government and administration: The administrators, political


leaders and diplomats, who conduct the affairs of the State, also require sound knowledge of
Political Science in order to perform their functions with efficiency.

(c) Arrest social inequality through equal distribution of resources

(d) Creation of democratic values: The study of political science makes people conscious of their
rights and duties. It also makes them vigilant alert, intelligent and patriotic;

(e) Creation of good citizenship: It makes citizens conscious of national, objectives and goals.

(f) Lesson of co-operation and toleration: Political science also teaches the lesson of co-operation,
adjustment and toleration. Society cannot prosper without cooperation. Man should learn how
to co-operate and adjust himself with his fellow-beings. People of all walks of life should co-
operate for the better development of the country. Toleration is also necessary in society.

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