Political science first-year questions

1. What is the definition of political science?
2. What are the main subfields of political science?
3. How does political science differ from other social sciences?
4. What are the key concepts and theories in political science?
5. How do political scientists study and analyze political phenomena?
6. What are the major political institutions and actors in a political system?
7. How do political ideologies shape political behavior and decision-making?
8. What is the role of power and authority in politics?
9. How do political scientists approach the study of international relations?
10. What are some of the major challenges facing political scientists in the 21st century?

Comparative Politics

- What are the key differences between democratic and authoritarian regimes?
- How does electoral systems affect political outcomes?
- What are the factors that contribute to political stability and instability?
- What role do political parties play in contemporary politics?
- How does globalization impact domestic politics?

International Relations

- What are the major theories of international relations?
- How do states interact with each other in the international system?
- What are the sources of conflict and cooperation between states?
- How does international law and organizations shape global politics?
- What are the challenges and opportunities for global governance in the 21st century?

Political Theory

- What is the concept of political power and authority?
- What are the different perspectives on justice and equality?
- How do individuals and groups participate in the political process?
- What are the limits of government authority?
- How does ideology influence political discourse and decision-making?

Public Policy

- What is the policymaking process and how does it differ across different political systems?
- How do social, economic, and environmental issues shape public policy?
- What are the different types of public policy instruments and their effectiveness?
- How do stakeholders influence public policy outcomes?
- What are the challenges and innovations in contemporary public policy?

Political Methodology

- What are the different research methods used in political science?
- How do we measure political concepts and variables?
- How can we analyze data to understand political phenomena?
- What are the ethical considerations in political research?
- How can we use quantitative and qualitative methods to enhance our understanding of politics?