Politics Essay Sample: Political Geography and Theoretical Models

Laws create relations between concepts that assume different values. For example, if a stands for an independent variable and b stands for a dependent variable, then a law has been stated. A law is not only based on a relation that one discovers but on one that he or she has identified repeatedly. Therefore, repetition increases the expectation of finding b in the future if I find a. On the other hand, theories are a collection of laws pertaining to a given behavior. Theories are more complex than laws such that no difference of kind exists between laws and theories. The leading definition of theory accepts the aspirations of scientists who build theory by collecting interconnected hypotheses. For instance, Homer refers to the walls of Troy as eight feet thick. If his hypothesis is true, then centuries later, any one should find those walls.

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However, there are things in such a pattern of thinking that are not as useful. For example, a coefficient of correlation does not suggest that a causal relation exists. Therefore, even if it is widely accepted that a correlation points to an existing connection, there is no explanation for the said connection. According to Levi-Strauss inductivist illusion, an explanation is only achieved through the accumulation of data and the examination of more cases. Using the inductivist approach, one can deal with problems in their tiniest bits. Today, students studying politics tend to gravitate towards induction. They examine several cases hoping to establish a connection or pattern that represents reality.

Hence, Students of politics tend to believe that knowledge begins with certainties and that theories are structures of truth. This perception of theories and truth makes them believe they can build theories inductively. Seemingly, theories are statements that explain laws and not collections of laws. However, this definition does not go in hand with the political theory. This is because political theories are more concerned with philosophic interpretation rather than explaining theories. For instance, a theoretical idea may be a concept or an assumption but regardless, it does not explain anything. Moreover, a theory always remains distinct from the world to which it is related. Political scientists are of the opinion that a model should provide a reflection of reality more accurately.

A model can be utilized in two different ways. First, a model can be used to represent a theory. It can also be used to picture reality through omission. However, if a model moves too far from the reality, it becomes useless. Various political scientists create theoretical models as if they are trying to create an airplane model. Failing to reject induction and instead of asking what it can accomplish is essential. Although induction can lead to a dead end theoretically, there is a need for patterns before creating a theory. Constructing theories includes the performance of logical operations on collected data among other things. Changes, in theory, create new theoretical and factual meanings. It has become common for political scientists to deduce hypotheses from certain theories and then test them. Nevertheless, such efforts have resulted in the conclusion that several challenges arise when attempting to devise the right test. In the case of such difficulties, it is hard to believe that disturbing variables are absent. By linking theoretical concepts to some variables to plan explanations, the creation and testing of a hypothesis are possible. Given a reductionist approach, it is possible to understand the whole.

According to Hobsons theory of imperialism, if a country seeks to control its economic operations by building an empire, then it is practicing imperialism. However, the new meaning of imperialism has been modified to accommodate recent practices. As a result, a structural theory of imperialism by Galtung emerged. He asserts that the reason as to why a gap in living conditions exists is due to the exploitation of the poor by the rich. Therefore, Galtung has drawn conclusions from a trend in the terms of trade of manufactured goods. As much as the causes of poverty are as many as the causes of wealth, the idea that the poor are responsible for enriching the rich has turned into a belief.

Systematic theories and approaches consider an international political system. Richard Rosecrance has established a system that uses a framework consisting of four elements including outcomes. His framework is constructed in such a way that it determines the type of conclusion reached. Therefore, Rosecrances approach is reductionist and not systemic. However, Hoffmans perception of an international political system differs from Rosecrances. His theory contains a structure that is conceived from a system. Kaplan, another political scientist disagrees with Hoffman since he overlooks the diversity of countries. Countries change in purpose and in form. Kaplan explores six systems and identifies five variables to describe the state of each system.

International politics theories deal with events ranging from the subnational to the supranational level. Therefore, a similarity exists between the traditional and modern approaches that study international politics. However, the many differences that exist are enough to obscure their similarity. Unlike the reductionist approach, the systems theory deals with the forces in play at the international level. A system is made up of a structure of interacting units that enable one perceive the system as a whole. Placing units in relation to one another are not solely defined by the ordering principle of the system. Therefore, in the case of politics, a domestic political structure is defined according to its ordering principle, specific functions, and the distribution of abilities across the units.

Political processes are shaped by their structures. This assertion can be proven by comparing different government systems. Therefore, so long as the political structure endures, a similarity in process and performance is produced. Political systems can also be compared to economic markets. Both are formed by the action of individual units. In this case, nations interact as units forming the structure of international political systems. Regardless of the nations habits, traditions, or government structures, one should be able to build an international political structure. Nevertheless, there is need to differentiate internal affairs from external affairs. This is because nations may be compared to units but clearly, they differ massively in their abilities. For example, in situations of self-help such as war, nations tend to worry about favoring themselves instead of others.

Due to the difference in the capabilities of states, a state of imbalance applies internationally. There are fewer larger states than there are smaller states. According to economics, smaller systems are more stable than larger systems because there is the easier management of affairs. As regards to interdependence, the country with the capability to produce more goods is able to take better care of itself than other countries. Therefore, even with inequality among nations, a condition of equilibrium is established with low interdependence.