This book introduces some of the basic concepts and ideas in the fields of political science: political theory, comparative politics, public administration and international relations. It contains a total of 25 chapters covering almost all the topics considered essential for students of political science in the twenty-first century. It also defines frequently used Islamic and Western terms that are important for political analysis and comprehension. It is designed as a course-book for undergraduates. It should also be useful for students of political science at a higher level, especially for those who are trying to gain an overview of the disciplinary subject matter and to develop analytical and critical skills.
Preface
1. Nature and Characteristics of Politics
Politics Identified. Manifestation of Politics. Transmission of Politics. Politics in Communist System. Politics in Islamic System.
2. Nature and Scope of Political Science
Definition of Political Science. Scope of Political Science. Political Science and Other Disciplines. Is Political Science a Science? Facts and Values in Political Analysis. Approaches to the Study of Politics. Goals and Uses of Political Science.
3. Fundamental Concepts: Power, Influence and Authority
Definition of Power. Power Potential and Power in Use. Sources of Power. Power and Influence. Power and Corruption. Authority. Sources and Types of Authority.
4. Political Theory: Development of the Discipline
Political Theory of the Classics. Ancient Political Thinkers. Medival Political Thinkers. Western Political Thinkers. Eastern (Muslim) Thinkers. Modern Political Thinkers. Contemporary Political Theories. Contemporary Eastern (Muslim) Thinkers.
5. Nature and Characteristics of State
Definition of the State. Elements of the State. nation, State, and Nation State. The Origin of the State. ''State'' in Islam. State in the West. State under Communist Ideology. State in the Muslim World.
6. Forms of Government
Requirements of a Good Classification. Traditional Typology of Political Systems. Modern Typology of Political Systems. The Liberal-Democratic System. The Islamic Political System. The Totalitarian System. The Authocratic System.
7. Unitary, Federal and Confederal States
UInitary State. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Unitary System. Federal State. Origins of Federalism. Advantages and Disadvantages of the Federal System. Centralizing Trends in Federal States. Confederation. An Islamic Perspective.
8. Democracy: Parliamentary and Presidential Systems
The nature of Democracy. types of Democracy. Conditions Favoring Democracy. Parliamentary System. Examples of the Parliamentary System. Presidential System. Examples of the Presidential System. Presidential and Parliamentary Systems: An Evaluation. Examples of the Mixed System. Forms of Government: Muslim Perspectives.
9. Constitution and Constitutional Government
What is Constitution? Methods of Establishing Constitution. Classification of Constitution. Written vs. Unwritten Constitution. Rigid vs. Flexible Constitution. A Good Constitution. Constitutional Government/Constitutionalism.
10. Organs of Government: The Legislature
The Legislature. The Organization of the Legislature: Unicameralism and Bicameralism. Which System is Better? Merits of Bicameral Legislature. Merits of Bicameral Legislature. Size and Tenure of the Legislature. Functions of the Legislature. The Decline of the Legislature. Legislature in a Communist System. Legislature in an Islamic System.
11. The Executive
Who are the Executives? Types of Executives. Mode of Choosing the Executive. Functions of the Executive. Executive Leadership. Executive in a Communist System. Executives in an Islamic System.
12. Administration and Bureaucracy
Growth of Bureaucracy. Who are the Bureaucrats? Characteristics of Bureaucracy. Functions of Bureacrats. Dangers/Problems with Bureaucracy. How to Control the Bureaucrats?
13. Law and the Judiciary
What is Law? Sources of law. Types of Law. International Law. Legal Systems. The Courts. The Functions of the Judiciary/Courts. Independency of the Judiciary. The Judiciary in Islamic System.
14. Military in Politics
The Western World. The Communist World. The Muslim World. Causes of Military Intervention in Third World Politics.
15. Modern Political Ideologies
Chracteristics of Ideology. Intellectual Components of an Ideology. Functions of Ideologies. Classical Liberalism. Modern Liberalism. Classical Conservation. Modern Conservation. Marxism or Scientific Socialism. Social Democracy. Communism or Marxism-Leninism. Islam as an Ideology. Environmentalism. Fascism.
16. Nation, Ethnonationalism, and Internationalism
Nationalism Defined. Origins and Effects of Nationalism. Uses and Abuses of Nationalism. Ethnonationalism. Nationalism and Islam. Nationalism and Internationalism.
17. Political Parties and the Party Systems
Definition of Political Parties. Growth of Political Parties. Functions of Political Parties. Political Parties, Groups, and Factions. Party Systems. Parties in Democracies. The Party in Communist States. Parties in the Muslim World.
18. Pressure/Interest Groups
What is Pressure/Interest Group? How Does an Interest Group Differ form a Political Party? Types of Pressure Groups. The Role/Contribution of Pressure Groups. Methods of Influence, Strategy and Tactics. Appraisal of Pressure Groups.
19. Election and Electoral System
Functions of Elections. Free and fair Elections. Types of Elections. Elections and Referendums. Electoral System. Electoral System and Party System. Elections in the West. Elections under Communist Rule. Elections in the Muslim World.
20. Public Opinion and Media
What is Public Opinion? Characteristics of Public Opinion. Agencies of Public Opinion. Mass Media and Politics. Can Polls or Opinions Influence Politics?
21. Political Violence, Revolution, and Terrorism
What is Political Violence? Types of Violence. What is Revolution? Stages of Revolution. What is Terrorism? Objectives of a Terrorist. The Reasons for becoming a Terrorist. Countering Terrorist.
22. Civil Society
What is Civil Society? Characteristics of Civil Society. Civil Society and Democracy.
23. International Relations and International System
History of International Relations. Key Concepts in International Relations. National Interest. National Power. Foreign Policy. Diplomacy. Economic Instruments of National Policy. Propaganda. National Security and War. International Peace. Islamic Framework of International Relations.
24. International Organizations
What is an International Organization? Development of International Organization. Charter of Medina. The League of Nations. The United Nations Organization. Origin of The United Nations Organization. Objectives and Principles of the U.N.O. The Organs of the United Nations. The General Assembly. The Security Council. The Secretariat. The Economic and Social Council. The International Court of Justice. The Trusteeship Council. Comparison of the U.N.O. and the League of Nations. Regional Organizations. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). European Union (EU). Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
25. Conclusion: Challenges Ahead
Poverty. Globalization. Environment. AIDS. Weapons Proliferation. Terrorism. Narco-terrorism.
Glossary
Index
-
Abdul Rashid Moten
ABDUL RASHID MOTEN is a Professor Emeritus and Guest Writer at the International Islamic University Malaysia. He earned his BA (Hons) and MA from Dhaka University Bangladesh; MA from Villanova University, Pennsylvania, USA; and PhD from the University of Alberta, Canada. He has been lecturing at many universities for about 45 years. He has extensive experience as an administrator. He has authored and edited 28 books and monographs and has contributed over 150 articles in internationally refereed journals and encyclopedias. He served as the editor and guest editor of many journals.
-
Syed Serajul Islam
Syed Serajul Islam is both a distinguished Professor of Political Science at Lakehead University, Canada. He received his PhD from McGill University and has taught at the International Islamic University, Malaysia, McGill University, and the University of Dhaka. He was visiting a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Iowa, United States of America in 1998. He has published nine books and over 80 articles in internationally refereed journals. He received several grants including SRC and Fulbright Research Grants. He is the recipient of Lakehead’s 2008 Distinguished Researcher Award.
-
Written in clear and concise languages by two experienced lecturers.
-
Features current topics such as political ideologies, revolution, civil society, terrorism, and the causes of war, but with the conscious aim of analyzing them in terms of empirical evidence and logical argument.
-
Each concept is provided with several definitions from leading authorities, and an equivalent Islamic term or its alternative from an Islamic perspective.
-
Examples are drawn largely from Canada, Malaysia, UK and US. Additional examples are from Bangladesh, China, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
-
Lists suggestions for further readings and relevant web sites.
-
Includes an extensive, alphabetically organized glossary at the end of the book.