Scribd
Upload
463 views6 pages

Political Science Notes

Political Science is the academic study of the state, government, and politics. It emerged as a modern discipline in the 19th century and uses diverse theories and research methods to study subfields like political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. Political Science provides insights that help with policy analysis, campaigns, administration, and advocacy. It aims to understand political systems and how to navigate them.

Uploaded by

Jerwin Esparza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
463 views6 pages

Political Science Notes

Political Science is the academic study of the state, government, and politics. It emerged as a modern discipline in the 19th century and uses diverse theories and research methods to study subfields like political theory, comparative politics, and international relations. Political Science provides insights that help with policy analysis, campaigns, administration, and advocacy. It aims to understand political systems and how to navigate them.

Uploaded by

Jerwin Esparza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Political Science

Introduction:

Political Science is the academic discipline that deals with the study of the
state, government, and politics. It is a vast field that covers various aspects
of political institutions, power, authority, and decision-making processes.
Political Science is an essential discipline that enables students to
understand the workings of governments and the behavior of political
actors, including citizens, politicians, and bureaucrats. This article aims to
provide an overview of Political Science by covering its history, main
subfields, theories, and methods.

History of Political Science:

The history of Political Science can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and
Romans, who were the first to study politics and political institutions.
Aristotle, for example, wrote extensively about the nature of the state and
the ideal political order. In the Middle Ages, political theory was largely
influenced by the works of philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas, who
emphasized the role of natural law and the divine in political life.

Modern Political Science emerged in the 19th century as a result of the


industrial revolution and the emergence of the modern nation-state.
Scholars like Max Weber, Karl Marx, and Friedrich Nietzsche were among
the pioneers of modern Political Science. They provided a critical analysis of
the workings of government and the state, which laid the foundation for the
development of Political Science as a discipline.
Main Subfields of Political Science:

Political Science is a broad field that encompasses several subfields. Some of


the main subfields of Political Science are:

Political Theory: This subfield deals with the study of the fundamental
principles of politics, including concepts such as justice, democracy, power,
and authority.

Comparative Politics: This subfield focuses on the comparison of political


systems and institutions across different countries and regions.

International Relations: This subfield deals with the study of relations


between nations, including issues such as war, peace, diplomacy, and
globalization.

Public Administration: This subfield deals with the study of the organization
and management of government institutions and agencies.

Political Economy: This subfield deals with the study of the relationship
between politics and economics, including issues such as taxation, trade,
and economic development.

Political Methodology: This subfield deals with the development and


application of statistical and quantitative methods in Political Science
research.

2
Theories of Political Science:

Political Science is a discipline that is grounded in several theoretical


approaches. Some of the most important theories of Political Science are:

Liberalism: This theory emphasizes individual freedom, equality, and limited


government intervention in the economy.

Conservatism: This theory emphasizes tradition, hierarchy, and the


importance of preserving existing social institutions.

Marxism: This theory emphasizes the role of economic forces in shaping


political institutions and class conflict.

Feminism: This theory emphasizes the importance of gender equality and


the elimination of patriarchy in political institutions.

Realism: This theory emphasizes the importance of power and self-interest


in international relations.

Constructivism: This theory emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and beliefs
in shaping political institutions and behavior.

Methods of Political Science:

Political Science is a discipline that uses a variety of research methods to


investigate political phenomena. Some of the main methods used in Political
Science research are:

3
Qualitative Research: This method involves the collection and analysis of
non-numerical data, such as interviews, case studies, and textual analysis.

Quantitative Research: This method involves the collection and analysis of


numerical data, such as surveys and statistical analysis.

Comparative Research: This method involves the comparison of political


systems and institutions across different countries and regions.

Experimental Research: This method involves the manipulation of variables


in a controlled environment to test causal relationships.

Survey Research: This method involves the collection of data from a sample
of individuals using questionnaires or interviews.

Content Analysis: This method involves the systematic analysis of the


content of texts, such as speeches, news articles, and policy documents.

Network Analysis: This method involves the analysis of social networks and
the relationships between actors in a political system.

Case Study Research: This method involves the in-depth analysis of a single
case or a small number of cases to gain insights into political phenomena.

Historical Research: This method involves the study of historical events and
archives to understand the development of political institutions and
systems.

4
Field Research: This method involves the direct observation and
participation in political events and institutions, such as attending political
rallies or working in government agencies.

Applications of Political Science:

Political Science has several practical applications in society. Some of the


main applications of Political Science are:

Policy Analysis: Political Science provides insights into the development and
implementation of public policies, including their impact on society.

Political Campaigns: Political Science provides insights into the behavior of


voters and the strategies of political candidates in election campaigns.

International Relations: Political Science provides insights into the dynamics


of international relations, including the role of diplomacy, trade, and conflict
resolution.

Government Administration: Political Science provides insights into the


organization and management of government agencies and institutions.

Advocacy: Political Science provides insights into the development and


implementation of advocacy strategies for social and political change.

5
Conclusion:

Political Science is a diverse and dynamic academic discipline that covers


various aspects of political institutions, power, and decision-making
processes. The field has a rich history and is grounded in several theoretical
approaches and research methods. Political Science has several practical
applications in society, including policy analysis, political campaigns,
international relations, government administration, and advocacy. As the
world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, Political Science
will continue to be an important discipline for understanding and navigating
political systems and institutions

You might also like