Answer:
There are several approaches in defining politics. Here are four of them:
1. Institutional Approach: This approach defines politics as the study of government institutions, processes, and policies. It focuses on the formal structures of power and decision-making, such as the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The similarities of this approach are that it focuses on the formal structures of power, and it is concerned with the study of government institutions. The differences are that it does not consider non-governmental actors and it is limited to the study of formal structures.
2. Behavioral Approach: This approach defines politics as the study of human behavior in the context of power and decision-making. It focuses on the actions and interactions of individuals and groups in political settings. The similarities of this approach are that it focuses on human behavior and it is concerned with power and decision-making. The differences are that it does not consider the formal structures of power and it is limited to the study of human behavior.
3. Structural Approach: This approach defines politics as the study of the distribution of power and resources in society. It focuses on the economic, social, and cultural structures that shape political outcomes. The similarities of this approach are that it focuses on power and resources and it is concerned with the structures that shape political outcomes. The differences are that it does not consider the formal structures of power and it is limited to the study of structural factors.
4. Postmodern Approach: This approach defines politics as a contested field of meaning and interpretation. It focuses on the ways in which power is exercised through language, discourse, and representation. The similarities of this approach are that it focuses on power and it is concerned with the ways in which power is exercised. The differences are that it does not consider the formal structures of power and it is limited to the study of language and discourse.
In summary, these four approaches have similarities in that they all focus on power and they are concerned with the study of politics. However, they differ in their emphasis on formal structures, human behavior, structural factors, and language and discourse.