What is Political Science?
Political Science focuses on the theory and practice of government and politics at the local, state, national, and international levels. Political science is thea study of politics and power from domestic, international, and comparative perspectives. It entails understanding political ideas, ideologies, institutions, policies, processes, and behavior, as well as groups, classes, government, diplomacy, law strategy, and war. A background in political science is valuable for citizenship and political action, as well as for future careers in government, law, business, media, or public service.
Definitions of Political Science
Political Science can be defined in two different but interrelated ways, namely.
- The study of the political institutions, the state or government
- The study of the phenomenon of power in human society.
In the beginning, political science was defined as a systematic study of the political institutions of the state or government.
Dr. Stephen Leacock
Says simply that “Political Science deals with government.”
Professor J.W. Garner
Says that “Political Science begins and end with the state.”
Paul Janet
Writes that Political Science is that “Part of social science which treats of the foundations of the state and the principles of government.”
The Swiss Writer, Bluntschli
Defines political science as “the science which is concerned with the state and endeavors to understand and comprehend the state in this fundamental condition, in its essential nature, its various forms of manifestations and its development.”
Modern Definitions of political:
Since the end of Second World War (1939-1945), Political Science has been defined as an empirical and functional science. It is a new approach to the study of this science.
Some modern definitions of political science are follows.
Wikipedia
Political Science, occasionally called Politology, is a social science which deals with system government, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, associated constitutions and political behavior.
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Political Science is the systematic study of governance by the application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis.
The University of British Columbia
Political Science is the study of the nature, causes, and consequences of collective decision and actions taken by groups of people embedded in cultures and institutions that structure, power and authority.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we may define –political science as a systematic study of the state or government, which is a power structure making authoritative decisions and allocating resources and values for internal security and development, and external security or defense.