Theoretical overview
Political science is a social science because political science is connected with society. It gives us knowledge about government and state.
Political science is study of ‘state.’
Father of political science is “Aristotle”
The term politics, political science, political theory are used as synonyms.
The term politics is derived from Greek word ‘Polis’ which means city or state. The polity is derived from Greek word ‘politicia’ means government or constitution.
Science is the systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the physical and natural world through observation, evidence and experiment.
So political science is the branch of knowledge that deals with systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the state and political institutions through scientific analysis
There are two types of definition of political science:
- Classical definition
- Modern definition
Classical definition :
According to J.W Garner: “political science begins and ends with the state”
R.N. Gilchrist: “ political science deals with state and government”
Modern definition:
Max weber: “politics is struggle for power or the influencing of those in power”
Nature of political science
Political science is a science or an art(is not science)
Aristotle , Hobbes thinks political science is a science but August Contee ,Barker and many other thinks political science is not science its an art.
What is science: the word ’science’ literally means ‘knowledge’. Science generally means a systematic way of gathering and organizing knowledge.
Characteristics of science:
- It is universally accepted
- Exactness
- Predictable
- Systematic study
- Precision
Political science is a science
Political science can be studied in a systematic mannert like the science subjects which are studied systematically, in the same way, it is possible to make a study of political science. There is a connection between cause and effects.
In Political science experiments are possible for example making of the Indian constitution includes several experiment.
It is universally acceptable for example definition of law is same in India as in England
Political science is inexact science
Political science is not a science
We can say that politic al science is not a science because:
In political science there is no uniformity,
scientific methods cannot be used and political science has no absolute laws like physical science or exact science.
Lack of precision.
Is political science an art
Art means ‘skill’ or way of doing a particular thing in a particular way. Many political scholar believes that political science is an art
The term art refers to practical application of knowledge. Political science applies the knowledge the knowledge about political event for creating a good social and political order. Hence it is an art.
Conclusion: political science is a social science. after studying all the aspects we conclude that political science is a social science because it delas with society, human beings and relationship b/w with the human and state.
Points to remember
- Father of political science is “Aristotle”
- The term politics is derived from Greek word ‘Polis’ which means city or state.
- Max weber: “politics is struggle for power or the influencing of those in power”
- political science is the branch of knowledge that deals with systematic study of the structure and behaviour of the state and political institutions through scientific analysis
- There are two types of definition of political science: Classical definition and Modern definition
