Politics

This lesson gives you background on Absolute Monarchs in Europe from the 16th through the 19th century's.

Hegemony is an indirect form of government, and of imperial dominance in which the hegemon rules geopolitically subordinate states by the implied means of power, the threat of force, rather than by direct military force. In Ancient Greece hegemony denoted the politico–military dominance of a city-state over other city-states. Limited War, Civil War and Guerilla War are also discussed in this type of warfare.

In this video lesson we will be looking at political participation. Political participation in social science refers to different mechanisms for the public to express opinions and exert influence.

In this video lesson we will be looking at political parties. A political party is a political organization. It typically seeks to influence, direct, or entirely perform government policy; usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office.

In this video lesson we will be looking at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of the United States was established pursuant to Article III of the United States Constitution in 1789 as the highest federal court in the United States.

This is more of a "How" than a "Why", actually. Professor Wagner explains why in the US, where all citizens over 18 (with few exceptions) have the right to vote, and over 1/3 of the population is going independent, still has a rigid two party system. It's not because the voters like it.

Realism is an international relations theory which states that world politics is driven by competitive self-interest.

Professor Wagner explains the Electoral College in the US, at least in 48 of the 50 states. (Read below for Maine and Nebraska). Regarding Maine and Nebraska, these 2 states have 4 electoral votes each (2 for the 2 Senators, and 2 for House Reps). In both cases, 2 of the electoral votes are "winner takes all", meaning whichever Presidential candidate wins the popular vote of the state wins the 2 electoral votes. The other 2, however, a decided by the to congressional districts. Therefore, Nebraska (like Maine) is divided into 2 congressional districts, and each electoral vote will go to the Presidential candidate who wins the popular vote in that district (rather than the whole state). Sometimes, therefore, you will see 3 votes go to one candidate, and the 4th vote go to the other.

In this video lesson we will be looking at criticisms of Congress. The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.