UNIT 4 SCOPE AND LIMITS OF POLITICAL
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3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1
Scope of Political Analysis
Everybody, political animal as Aristotle would call it, is bounded within a political system; in other words, no person is outside the scope of a state, society, or any given political system- a system where decisions are made, whether at the micro or macro, rural or urban, local or international, etc.
or by government, association- small or big, corporation, etc. or not. At the heart of any given political system is the power to make decisions to ensure the progress of people and society. The scope of political analysis is indeed broad because of the inexorable nature of politics and its consequences (Dahl; 1997) on mankind, the more reason why it must be analysed- that is, breaking down into parts towards studying and comprehending the complexities not just of the parts but of the whole (Wilmot; 1985) to making reality palpable in relation to making better choices. Students are expected to know that the broad nature of politics and political science consequently determine the scope of political analysis. Political analysis like political science is descriptive and prescriptive, and in the process defines and illustrates and evaluates the nature of political power, the character of power holders, the relationship between political conduct and political context, and the outcome of the use of power. It also investigates into political ideas/ideologies, interest, behaviour, economic and social activities, constitution, policies, laws, conflicts, war, peace, developments, etc. On a general perspective, like political science, students of political analysis are expected to analyse political theories, public administrations, public policy, comparative politics, international relations and politics, and public law.
3.2 Limits of Political Analysis: Political Power
As stated in the introduction, the very boundary of political analysis is first of all its limits. Following the nature of political analysis, it is not more than to adequately comprehend political reality- the consequences of political power towards ideas and actions that are problem-solving on a dynamic but consistent basis. As students are already familiar with the fact that the subject matter of political analysis is political power, it is significant that it is not enough to know the nature of political power, but very importantly its dynamics and progression through time and ages.
Another limit of political analysis that students should take seriously is that, it is regulated to carry out analyses that are politically feasible and politically desirable, and not to follow these two principles is to go against the goal of political analysis- that is, provide a problem-solving framework, advance political methodology, and exploration of fact. For instance, it is not feasible to analyze how well a government performs without some yardstick for performance evaluation and baseline for
comparison in relation to another government. Furthermore, the nature of political analysis is in most cases determined by the nature and character of politics, and this is more so because political analysis cannot take place outside of politics. Last but certainly not the least, political analysis is expected not to cross into the terrain of dogmatism as both are diametrically opposed. In simple terms, it is very true that values, as explained by Pietrzyk-reeves (2016), is one of the constituents of political systems and structures because of the intervening role it plays in both prescriptive and descriptive analysis of politics; however, political analysis, if it must be developmental, would have to be subjectively objective or objectively subjective.
3.3 The Role of Interdisciplinary Perspectives to Political Analysis
Political analysis as students are getting to be at home with is like politics, if anything, at least within the context of development, politics- the leadership and management of the critical affairs of both state and society is a strong factor in the determination of many things social, economic, legal, cultural, etc. Considering the multidisciplinary nature and character of reality students are expected to be in touch with history, sociology, economics, law, etc. as necessary incentives for political analysis. Thus, within the scope and limits of political analysis, students are expected to have some grasp of analysis of political history, political sociology analysis, political economy analysis, political discourse analysis, public policy analysis, etc. to help enrich their understanding of political analysis. For instance, political discourse analysis focuses on political budgets, debates, speeches, hearings, panels, campaigns, promises, etc.
(Fairclough and Fairclough; 2012). Political economy analysis on its own emphasizes how politics and economics interact and strengthen each other to bring about the expected development. Thus, how political power is used within the national political processes including the competition between and among various interest groups, factions, etc., for economic resources are significant to how public goods needed for development are acquired. The significance of both formal and informal institutions and many other underlying social forces are the perspective of the political economy analysis that students of political analysis are expected to know.
In other words, the struggle for power and resources between state and society actors help to provide an analytical explanation of how society ensures order and progress. For instance, without political economy analysis, it may be difficult to comprehend the intricate client-patron social relations, rent-seeking, political settlement, or moral hazard, and the interests that manipulate the actors in the relationship and its impact on development including those of politicians and investors. Thus,
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historical processes, structural forces and how political institutions shape economic consequences.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
Political analysis is enriched with multidisciplinary approaches. Discuss.
4.0
CONCLUSION
In an introductory course like this, it is significant for students to know the scope and limits of the course to enable them to know what it entails and prepares their minds towards it. There is no doubt that political science is broad and since political analysis is ancillary to it, it follows that its scope is also broad because it is expected to provide analysis of both theories and practice. This unit is very important because it provides the areas that students are expected to explore including the parameters of the study, the depth, breadth, etc. In this respect, political theory, public administration, public policy, political economy, international relation and politics, etc. from within the scope of the course. Considering the multidisciplinary nature of reality, an interdisciplinary perspective is included to help enrich students understanding of introductory political analysis.
5.0
SUMMARY
The unit briefly but perceptively examined the scope and limits of political analysis to enable introductory you know the depth and boundary of the course. Thus, the scope and limits of political analysis were explained, including the interdisciplinary nature of the course.
Importantly, students are made to know and take seriously that political analysis is diametrically opposed to dogmatism; hence, the need for them to be subjectively objective or objectively subjective.
6.0
TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. Exploration of fact and problem-solving framework are important elements within the scope of political analysis. Provide a succinct explanation.
2. The interdisciplinary perspective will help to enrich your knowledge and hone your skills of political analysis. Discuss.
3. Dogmatism has no place within the scope and limits of political analysis. Discursively agree or disagree.
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING
Dahl, R. (1997) Modern Political Analysis. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.
Wilmot, P.F. (1985). Sociology: A New Introduction. London: Collins International Text.
Pietrzyk-reeves, D. (2016). Civil Society, Democracy and Democratisation. Cambridge: Cambridge University.
Fairclough, I. & Fairclough, N. (2012). Political Discourse Analysis: A Method for Advanced Students. Canada: Routledge.
Weber, M. (2002). Politics as a Vocation. Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
Zakaria, F. (2003). The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
Ake, C. (1980). Political Economy of Africa. London: Macmillan.