Theoretical overview
Approaches in political science refer to different theoretical frameworks or perspectives that scholars use to study politics. These approaches provide different lenses through which political phenomena can be analyzed and understood. Each approach has its own set of assumptions, methods, and theories that guide research and analysis. By using multiple approaches, political scientists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of politics and its complexities.
There are three political approaches such as:
- Institutional approach
- Normative approach
- Behavioural approach
Institutional approach
Institutional approach lays stress on the study of political institutions and structures like executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, interests groups etc. Among the ancient thinkers Aristotle is an important contributor to this approach while the modern thinkers include James Bryce, Bentley, Walter Bagehot, Harold Laski, etc.`
Accordingly the upholders of the institutional approach proceed to study the organization and functioning of government, its various organs, political parties and other institutions affecting politics. Classification of governments, starting from Aristotle (monarchy, tyranny, aristocracy, oligarchy, polity and democracy) to modern classification (democracy and dictatorship, parliamentary and presidential, unitary and federal, etc.), identification of levels of government (federal, state and local) as well as branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial), composition and powers of each of these and their interrelationships (largely in legal terms), etc. are the chief concerns of this approach. It aims at giving an elaborate description of facts. Hence it exemplifies a shift from normative to empirical approach, and from a historical to a contemporary concern within the sphere of traditional approaches. However, it relies heavily on description rather than explanation. Hence, it fails to qualify as a contemporary approach.
Behavioural approach
Behaviouralism became one of the most favoured approaches in the middle of the twentieth century and since then it has held its sway in the research of social sciences. The political scientists, who intend to improve society by bringing about a change for the better in political institutions, ensure more public participation in political affairs and get engaged in researching the social problems that emanate from politics, usually opt for behavioural approach for their research works. Psychology and sociology were the first two social sciences that showed increasing preference to behaviouralism since 1920s. A couple of decades later, political scientists too got engaged in data collection exercises by moving out of classrooms and libraries and interacting with the real world. Consequently, by the mid- 1960s, behavioural approach came to be recognised as a leading line of research in social sciences.
According to John G. Gunnell, the objectives of behavioural research could be accomplished by āthe formulation of systematic concepts and hypotheses; the development of explanatory generalization that would raise inquiry beyond mere factual empiricisms; interdisciplinary borrowing; empirical methods of research; (and) direct observation.ā The comprehension of behaviour implies comparing the attitudes of the people in diverse cultural settings. It was because of this comparative method got reinforcement that in turn led to the emergence of comparative politics as a branch of political science. The behaviouralists have shifted the focus of research from political institutions to political behaviour of the people, they are not interested to know the manner people ought to act; instead they pay attention to the manner people do act.
Normative approach
Normative approach in political science is mainly concerned with political theory. The normative approach offers a unique structure to get the complete notion of ‘what ought to be’ against the idea of the empirical approach called as ‘what is.’ It is a kind of political theory through which certain formulas are given for transformation of an imperfect social order to a perfect one. Normative theory is a systematic thinking about government, state and other government institution. This theory has been dominated from the ancient time to the eighteen century. It is a practical philosophy that relates toĀ theĀ government.
Points to remember
- Institutional approach lays stress on the study of political institutions and structures like executive, legislature, judiciary, political parties, interests groups etc. Among the ancient thinkers Aristotle is an important contributor to this approach while the modern thinkers include James Bryce, Bentley, Walter Bagehot, Harold Laski, etc.`
- Behaviouralism became one of the most favoured approaches in the middle of the twentieth century and since then it has held its sway in the research of social sciences. The political scientists, who intend to improve society by bringing about a change for the better in political institutions, ensure more public participation in political affairs and get engaged in researching the social problems that emanate from politics, usually opt for behavioural approach for their research works.
- Normative approach in political science is mainly concerned with political theory. The normative approach offers a unique structure to get the complete notion of ‘what ought to be’ against the idea of the empirical approach called as ‘what is.’