“Good government is good politics and politics is good government”, a maxim of Richard J.

Daley
describing his view on the inseparability of politics and government. Politics is said to be the art of government,
the application of control within the society through the making and enforcement of collective decisions.
Government is interconnected to politics. To understand government is to comprehend the exercise of authority.

This self -learning module will provide you with information and activities that will help you understand
the concept, relationship and importance of politics, governance, and government

After going through this lesson, you are expected to:

MELC: explain the concept, relationship and importance of politics, governance, and government.
LCs: a. articulate definitions of politics (HUMSS_PG12-Ia-1);
b. differentiate the various views on politics (HUMSS_PG12-Ia-2);
c. explore the connection between the phenomena (politics) and the method of inquiry (political
science) (HUMSS_PG12-Ia-3);
d. recognize the value of politics (HUMSS_PG12-Ia-4); and e. differentiate governance and
government (HUMSS_PG12-Ia-5)

Activity 1: Correct or Incorrect?

Direction: Write True on the blank if the statement is correct. Write False if the statement is incorrect.

________ 1. Plato is the “Father of political science”.

________ 2. Political Science is a social science discipline that studies the state and the government.
________ 3. Philosophical tradition is also known as empirical tradition.
________ 4. “Man, by nature, is a political animal”, this saying came from Aristotle.
________ 5. The concept of “democracy” was founded by the Spaniards.

Activity 2: Table for your Thoughts

Direction: Write 5 words under each column that come into your mind whenever you hear the words “politics”,
“governance” and “government”.

Politics and Political Science

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 Aristotle, the Father of Political Science, once said, "Man is by nature a political animal". The
tendency and interest of people toward anything political is because individuals are naturally social. Unlike other
species, humans rely on social interactions to survive. Individuals are not self-sufficing, so they find the need to
group together as a community. Politics is born out of these social interactions. Importance of Politics
1. Politics helps you to know your rights.
The word politics was formulated by the Greeks during the 4th and 5th century. It come from the word 2. Politics clarifies what you yourself believe.
“polis” which means city state. It deals with power in society in general. It is said to be the art and science of 3. Politics is a living, breathing subject.
government. Politics was inseparable from life in the polis or a place or state shared by a certain group of people. 4. Politics helps you to understand our nation’s parties.
5. Politics prepares you for adult life.
According to Plato and Aristotle, there are central concepts in politics: (1) Concept of justice – what and
who is morally and politically right, (2) Concept of power – source of authority, (3) Concept on the right types of There are several ways by which politics can be studied. Political science is an amazing discipline
constitutions and governments – different types of governments and states, (4) Concepts on political structures – because it embraces an array of theoretical perspectives and a variety of analytic frameworks.
different ideologies in a state, and (5) Concept on the right and virtuous leadership – who should lead in a certain
political system Major Schools of Thought in Political Science Heywood (2013)

Heywood (2013) defined politics as an activity that involves the interaction of people, whose 1. Philosophical tradition (otherwise known as political philosophy)
relationship is characterized by conflict and cooperation, and who come together to solve such disagreement -is regarded as the traditional approach to politics. The Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle are
through binding solutions. However, politics is no Utopian solution. These are disparities that remain as such. usually associated with this tradition as they asked what "should" or "ought" instead of what "is”. This tradition
underscored the analytical study of doctrines that have become the major focus of political thought.
Political Science is a social science discipline that studies the state and the government. It is a 2. Empirical tradition
systematized body of knowledge based on facts which deals with experimentation and observation. Based on the -political scientists who advocate this approach believe that any account of political reality must be
given definition, there are four elements to become a science – a.) body of knowledge; b.) based on facts; c.) deals impartial and should thus be tested through observation. Those who work in this tradition therefore seek to analyze
with experiments; and d.) observation. and explain, and not to offer recommendations, as in the philosophical tradition.
Aside from the above definition of Political Science and Politics, the following concept will aid you 3. Scientific tradition
understand their differences. -this tradition promotes objective and quantifiable ways of studying politics. The scientific tradition was
further pushed with the rise of behavioralism, or the belief that social theories should arise from observation and
quantifiable data.

The State
According to Prof. Garner, the state is “a community of persons more or less numerous, permanently
occupying a portion of territory, independent from external control and possessing a government which the great
body of inhabitants render habitual obedience” (as cited in Aruego’s book – Principles of Political Science). The
given definition consists of four elements of the state: population, territory, sovereignty, and government. But
modern political science considers “recognition” as the fifth element of the State.

Five Elements of the State (According to Modern Political Science)

1. People – is one of the basic elements of the state. A state can have millions and even billions of people
regardless of gender. The Vatican City is the smallest city in the world and has the least number of people
while China is considered as the biggest city an has the biggest number of population in the world.
2. Territory – is the scope of land, sea and air areas or boundaries where the population of the state resides. A
territory is divided into 3 domains – terrestrial (land), maritime and fluvial (water) and aerial domains.
3. Government – is the machinery of the people where their hopes and aspirations are expressed, formulated, and
realized. The government is the basic agency of the State to carry its obligation.
4. Sovereignty – is the supreme power to command and enforce obedience (Aruego, Principles of Political
Science).
5. Recognition – is the process where the State is granted international status. It can be implied or expressed.
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 Answer: ______________________________________________________________________
The state, while is considered as something abstract for it has no existence as a material object, enjoys Activity 2: Right or Wrong!
permanence, is not confined to a particular space, and is not embodied in any person or collection of persons Direction: Read each statement. Write True if the statement is correct and False if the statement is incorrect.
(Kukathas 2008). _________1. Politics is the actual process of how humans interact in groups.
_________2. Political Science is the process by which people try to influence their government.
Government and Governance _________3. Political Science seeks to study the origin, nature and functions of the State, Government and its all
organs.
Government is defined as the group of people with the authority to govern a country or state, a _________4. Politics is universal and is always the same.
particular ministry in office (Oxford Dictionary). It is the instrument of the state through which the will of the _________5. Politics involves issues, problems, and activities taking place in the society.
people is expressed, carried out, and formulated. Thus, the government serves as the bridge that connects the
people to the state. Activity 3: Answer me quick!
Direction: Give your idea on the following question.
On the other hand, governance is defined as the process of decision-making and the process by which
decisions are implemented. At present, the terms government and governance are also used with confusion to a
1. What is your own definition of Politics and Political Science?
large extent. As an institution, it is the government which concretizes the policies and addresses the problems of
____________________________________________________________________________________________
the state. Good governance spring up when the government involves the people in its agenda and in the process of
___________________________________________________________________________________________
policy making. The extent, therefore, to which democratic participation is encouraged determines whether
____________________________________________________________________________________________
governance exists.
According to UNESCO for Asia and the Pacific, the following are the characteristics of good
governance: participation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness, consensus oriented, effectiveness and
efficiency, and accountability.
The citizens’ satisfaction with their government is a determinant of governance. Governance demands
both the political will of policy officials and the participation of citizens. This only means that you are also part of
governance.

Activity 1: Settle the Mess!

Direction: Arrange the jumbled letters to form the word of the correct answer.

1. This is an activity that involves the interaction of people, whose relationship is characterized by conflict and Activity 1: Slogan Making
cooperation, and who come together to solve such disagreement through binding solutions. Direction: Create a slogan that will establish how politics can be applied in our daily life. Use the space below
SCOPILIT for this activity.
Answer:______________________________________________________________
2. This is a process where the State is granted international status that can be implied or expressed.
TRIGONECNIO
Answer:______________________________________________________________
3. This is a discipline that studies the state and the government. It is a systematized body of knowledge based on
facts which deals with experimentation and observation.
LACIPLOTI NICESEC
Answer:______________________________________________________________
4. This is the scope of land, sea and air areas or boundaries where the population of the state resides and divided
into 3 domains – terrestrial (land), maritime and fluvial (water) and aerial domains.
RIOTTEYRR
Answer:_____________________________________________________________
5. This tradition underscored the analytical study of doctrines that have become the major focus of political
thought.
CLOPILTIA DARINOTIT
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Rubric for the Slogan Making
Relevance to the topic =10 pts NOTE: ‘Nak pakitabi ng MODULE mo EVERY WEEK, dahil at the end of our SECOND QUARTER may additional points ka dahil makakapagpasa ka ng COMPLET
Creativity =5 pts
Neatness =5 pts Total 20 pts

Activity 2: Opinion please!

Direction: Give your idea on the following situation.

A. Why do you think that it is necessary for students who aspire to be lawyers to take Political Science?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 1: Meaningful Meaning!

Direction: Define and expound the following words.

1. Politics
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Government
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Governance
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

Activity 2: Let’s talk it over!

Direction: Explain the concept, relationship and importance of politics, governance, and government.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

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