Introduction to Politics

and Government PA-1102

Lecture 2
 Scope of Political Science

Content
Approaches of Political
Science: Historical,
Experimental
 At the end of the session, learners will be able
to -
• Understand scope of political science
Lesson • Explain Politics in Bangladesh from
Historical Approach
Outcome • Explain Politics in Bangladesh from
Experimental Approach
 Lecture Video

Learning
Strategy Hands-on
Q/A session
activity
 Scope of Political
Science

• Study of state and Government

• Study of Associations and
Institutions
• Study of National and
International Problems and the
political study of Man
• Study of Past, Present and
Future Development of state
• Study of the Concept of Power
(R.C. Agarwal)
 • Some political scientist identified scope in
another means:
1. Political Theory- Political Philosophy
2. Political Institution- Constitution, national
government, Regional and Local
government, Public Administration etc.
Cont.. 3. Political Parties- Political groups,
association etc.
4. International Relations- International
Politics, International Law and
International Organization and
administration
 Set example in the
context of
Hands-on
Bangladesh:
activity • Political Theory-
• Political Institution-
• Political Parties-
• International Relations-
 • The first important method of studying
political phenomena is historical.
Montesquieu, Laski and Freeman etc. are
Historical some of the eminent exponents of this
method.
Approach • History serves as a best kind of laboratory
of Political for Political Science. It is the store house of
incidents pertaining to human life.
Science • The origin of every political institution can
be traced in the pages of history
 Cont..
“ Political Science stands midway
between history and politics,
between the past and the present”
 • Party System in the Foundational Years
(1972-1975): From One Party Dominant to
Single Party System
Politics in • Party System Under Military Rule (1975-
Bangladesh 1990): Emergence of State-Sponsored
Parties and Return of Political Opposition
: Historical • Party System Under Electoral Democracy
Approach (1991-Present): From Two Party to Two
Alliance System
 1. Factionalism
2. Dependence on Top Leadership
Features: 3. Dynastic Leadership
Historical 4. Party-Building through State Patronage

Perspectiv 5. Growing Influence of Money &

Criminalization of Politics
e 6. Decline of Ideology
 • Every new law passed by the government,
every new policy adopted by the nation and
every political change that has been made in
the political structure of the country is a sort
Experimental of experiment .
Approach of • Sometimes, government takes decision and
passes law. If the public of country accept
Political the new law, it is believed that the new
Science political experiment, tried by the
government has proved a success and vice
versa
 Caretaker
Government System
Politics in ( started from 1996)
Bangladesh:
Experimental
Approach
Abolished CGS in
15 amendment
th
 Scope of Political Science with
specific examples in the context
of Bangladesh

Reading Analysis Politics of Bangladesh

from Historical Approach
Question
Analysis Politics of Bangladesh
from Experimental Approach
 Pages of Reading Books:

Reference Agarwal, R.C., 2007,

Political Theory:
Principles of Political
Theory, pp. 1-31, New
Delhi, India
Q/A
THANKS