What is Political Science?

Political science is a part of social science that deals with the political
problems of human beings and the subject matter of political science is
political institutions (State, Government, Judiciary, Parliament, Pressure
groups, Political Parties, etc.), Political behavior, and activities of humans,
etc. It is also related to other social science subjects like history,
sociology, philosophy, economics, etc.

Meaning and Definition of Political

Science
Political science is the combination of two words one is Political and another
one is science.
Political refers to power and authority. That is, everything related to power
and authority is political. For example, all institutions (State, Government,
Judiciary, Parliament, Pressure groups, Political Parties, etc) and actions of
humans related to power are subject to politics.

The English word ‘Science’ comes from the Latin word ‘Scientia’, which means
knowledge that is acquired by systematic study.

So It means a systematic study of political institutions, the political behavior of

human beings, political systems, international relations, and all the issues
related to power and authority.

The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle said that “Man is by nature a political
animal…he who is unable to live in a society or who has no need because he is
sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or God”.
He is considered the father of political science because he is the first person
who has defined politics using scientific methods.

The definition of political science is determined by the scope of its field of

discussion. The scope of political science has been discussed in the last part
of the writing.
The problems of people’s political life are increasing. As time has passed,
people’s political thinking has developed more and more.
As a result, the number and variety of definitions of political science are
increasing exponentially. There is no universal definition in any social science
subject. Since it is a part of social science is also a dynamic science, so its
definition is also dynamic.

There are two views to define political science. One is the Traditional View and
the other one is the Modern view.

Traditional Definition of Political Science

All the concepts of political science before the nineteenth century belong to
the traditional view. And the entire political scientists at that time is called
traditional political scientists.

According to traditional political scientists, it deals with the state, Government,

and other political institutions.
An American Professor Garner once said that ‘political science begins and ends
with the state’. In his view, political science is the social science that
determines some formula about the origin and form of the state, the shape,
nature, and history of political institutions, and political progress and
development.
So in the traditional view, it discusses the origin, nature, ideals, and goals, of
the state.

Here are some definitions by different authors of the traditional view

Political science is a historical investigation of what the state has been,
an analytical study of what the state is, and a politico-ethical discussion
of what the state should be.

R.G Gettel,

Political Science investigates the phenomena of the government as

political economy deals with wealth, biology with life, algebra with
numbers, and geometry with space and magnitude

John Robert Seeley

Political Science is that part of the social science which treats of the
foundations of the sate and principles of the government

Paul Janet

Political science deals with the origin, development, purpose, and all
political problems of the states.

Garies

Political science is concerned with the state and with conditions

essential for its development.

Lord Acton

If you read the above definitions of traditional political scientists carefully then
you have noticed that every definition of political science is concentrated on
state and government.

So it is clear that in the traditional view, the field of discussion of political

science was confined to the state and the government.

Modern Definition of Political Science

The flow of international events now has a profound effect on individual and
national life. For this reason, state activity cannot be neutral to the flow of
international events and customs.

The social and political relations of the socialized people, the relations of the
state with the individual under the state, the relations of the social institution
with the individual, and the interrelationships between different states, etc. are
included in the modern view of political science.

The modern view of political science refers to the view of political scientists
who emerges at the beginning of the twentieth century.
According to modern political scientists like George Catlin, Charles Marriam,
Almond, Powell, and David Easton, political science not only deals with the
state and government.

It has a broader area that also deals with individual’s political behavior,
Political Power, Society, Political Culture, Political Socialization, International
Laws, and International Relations, Political systems, Political Processes, and
other political groups.

Must-Read- Political Culture: Meaning, Features, 4 Types, And Importance

Here are some definitions by different authors of the modern view
Politics is the study of Influence and the influential

Lasswell

Political Science concern itself with the life of men in relation to

organized state

Laski

David Easton defines political science as an Authoritative allocation of values.

He has not seen it as a discussion of state institutions but presents this as a
discussion of a political system or process.
Politics is the struggle for power or the influencing of those power.

Max Weber

Acceptable Definition of Political Science

As I said, there is no universal definition of it. But from the discussion of the
traditional and modern view of political science, it could have an acceptable
definition.

Political science is a part of social science in which the philosophical,

organizational, and administrative context of the state and politics, the
context of national and international, legal and organizational relations,
and the comparative context of multiple political systems are
scientifically discussed and reviewed.
After completing the Meaning and definition of our topic “Meaning nature
and scope of political science”, now it’s time for the Nature of Political
Science.

Nature of Political Science

When you study political science, you see politics and political science are
used interchangeably. Some political scientists use political theory and
political philosophy and political science in the same way.

Again, many are reluctant to call it a science. In order to overcome such

confusion, the nature of political science must be studied in a good way. So
let’s start.

Political Theory, Political Philosophy, Politics,

or Political Science?
The origin of the concept of the state is the need for human
interaction. Political Theory includes various views and interpretations about
the origin and development of the state, its nature, functions, organizations,
and subsidiaries.
Must Read-Political Theory And Why Should We Study Political Theory?
Some basic questions about the nature and purpose of the state take place in
the discussion of Political Philosophy.
Must Read– Meaning, History, Features, and Importance of Political
Philosophy
Although the name politics is used more for the sake of popularity, political
scientists are willing to use the name political science.

Many people want to use the name political science in order to ensure that
the discussion of politics does not become a futile policy, but prevails in
practical politics.
Political science, like science, has the potential for observation, experience,
analysis, and classification. It teaches us how it is possible to analyze political
and humanitarian issues in the light of empirical and observational methods.

Scope of Political Science

As I said before, it is a dynamic and social science. That’s why it’s scope or
subject matter is always changing.

Until the nineteenth century, its field of discussion was state-centered. At

present, the state and any other issues that touch people’s political life are
included in the discussion of political science.

So the Scope of political science can be divided into two categories.

1. State-Centric
2. Non-State-Centric
State-Centric discussion

The state is the ultimate expression of socialized life. People’s political life
revolves around the state. As a result, the personality of the socialized people
develops, and peaceful social life is possible. So there is no doubt that the
state is the central subject of political science.

1. Study of Government

This state was again embodied through the government. The state cannot be
imagined without the government. The state fulfilled its goals through the
government. So the discussion of the state as well as the government
becomes necessary.

2. Study of the history of the State

The idea of the present state remains incomplete if we do not discuss the
history of the state. In the context of the past and present discussion of the
state, it is necessary to see how this institution evolved from the past to the
present.
3. Study of Laws
In addition to the state and the government, laws enacted by the government
are also included in the discussion of political science. The government passes
laws on behalf of the state and maintains peace. So the discussion of law is
another matter of political science.

4. Study of International Relations and International laws

At present, the interaction between the citizen and the state is influenced by
multiple issues. The flow of international events affects national life.

So, it also deals with international relations and international laws. It includes
international organizations like the United Nations, International Monetary
Fund, and The World Bank.

5. Study of theoretical and applied political science

Theoretical discussions of political science are about the origin, nature,

ideology, independence, law, etc. of the state.

On the other hand, the classification of government, functions, legislation,

functions of political institutions, international customs, treaties, and
diplomacy are the main topics of applied discussion in it.

Non-State-Centric Discussion

Modern political scientists think that at present political science deals not only
with the state but with non-governmental organizations and individuals or
groups of political activities, pressure groups, etc. So let’s discuss this in detail.

Must Read- Pressure Group: Meaning, Definitions, Features, & 4Types

1. Study of Influence and Influential

The study of politics is the study of influence and the influential.

Lasswell
Many times a person is getting others to work on what he wants. In this case,
the person who did it is called influential and the power of the influential is
called influence.

Similarly, a special relationship between an individual, a group, an

organization, and a state is called influence.

influence is a relation among actors in which one actor induces other

actors to act in some way they would not otherwise act.

Robart Dahl

In modern times many political scientists have emphasized influence as a

subject of political science. The tendency of behavioral statesmen is
particularly observed. According to them, the influential people of society
control the distribution of goods or values.

And this is exactly the reason why it is necessary to discuss political science
with influence and influential.

2. Study of Conflict and Disagreement

Conflict lies at the heart of politics. In a world of universal agreement,

there would be no room for it.

J.D.B Miller

Disagreements and disputes create politics. That means the political situation
is created when the work on which there is disagreement is organized. And
that is when the law needs to be created and enacted.

According to eminent scientists, politics prevails when there is disagreement.

And politics is about resolving that conflict.

So it can be said that it also deals with the conflict and disagreements which
are occurred in any society and finding out the resolution of those conflicts.
3. Study of Authoritative Allocation of Values

According to Political scientist David Easton, it deals with the authoritative

allocation of values. “Political Science be described as the study of the
authoritative allocation of values for society”.
Here are three words in the above sentence. These are Value, Allocation, and
Authoritative.

The word value here refers to the needs and wants of socialized people. What
is valuable to a person is what he needs. It is not possible to meet all the
needs of all people in any society because every society has a shortage of
resources.
So it meets the needs of some people. Conflict begins among members of
society to meet their own needs. Conflict resolution is needed to prevent
social crises as a result of this conflict.

Society has to constantly decide how much car needs to be met on the basis
of limited resources. That is, in Easton’s language, how the value will be fixed
or how its allocation will be.
Authority makes this important decision for society. The process of making
this decision by the authority is called the allocation of values.
4. Study of Political Dynamics
The study of political dynamics is very important because it deals with the
current forces at work in government and politics. It includes the study of
political parties, pressure groups, public opinion, lobbies, etc.

Importance of Political Science

The study of political science is very important and significant in this socio-
economic-political society. By studying it people can know how and why the
state is organized and why its constitution is justified.

It makes people more conscious about their rights and duties. Those who
know political science, always take useful part in social and political affairs.

Robert Dahl rightly said that “A citizen encounters politics in the government
of a country, town, school, church, business firm, trade union, club, political
party, civic association and a host of organizations. Politics is one of the
unavoidable facts of human existence. Everyone is involved in some fashion at
some time in some kind of political system.”
After knowing about the meaning nature and scope of political science, you
have realized some basic points which tell you why to study it. or what is
the importance of political science?
1. Understand Citizenship

It enables you to understand the relationship between an individual or citizen

and the state. Citizen participates in the decision-making process of
governance in the name of election and forms a government under which
they are governed.

2. Know the Political Thoughts and Ideas of the Eminent

Political Thinkers

We are influenced by the ideas of political thinkers like Plato, Aristotle,

Hobbes, Karl Marx, etc. and it helps us to understand the present political
problem and allow us to find out the solution to those problems.

3. Make Citizen Conscious of Their Rights and Duties

I have already said that it allows us to understand our rights and duties in the
society we live. Rights are the most important aspect of any individual.

Rights are the one that helps individuals to grow in terms of their talent.
Besides this, it also tells citizens about their duties to society.

4. Understands Recent Trends in the World

It also allows us to understand the current trends in the world. By the study of
political science, we can search for what is happening around us. This is the
era of globalization. And globalization affects our daily life but how? To solve
this question we have to study it.
5. Understand the Role of Government, Political Parties,
and Pressure Groups

What should be the role of a political party and how do pressure groups affect
the decision-making process of the government?
It gives you clear ideas of these questions that help you to understand how
the government is formed, what’s your role in the decision-making process of
the government, etc.

So it can be said that a modern man cannot be perfect without knowing facts
about political science. In simple importance it is precious. It improves our
living standards.

Conclusion
After a long discussion on the Meaning Nature and Scope of Political Science,
it can be concluded that it is the branch of social science in which we study
the state, government, political theory, politics, political institutions, the life of
political man, international relations, laws and organizations, influence and
influential, authoritative allocation of values, etc.

So it can be said that it is a dynamic science which means the nature and
scope of political science are extensive and always changeable. It empowers
us to think differently about our society as a political as well as a social animal.

Let me share your experience with what you have learned in “Meaning
Nature and Scope of Political Science“.