Discuss the
scope and nature of Political
Science?
Answer: The scope of Political Science is not very clear.
There is no perfect agreement among political thinkers about the scope of the
subject.
1. According
to Gettel, “a historical investigation of what the state has been, and an
analytical study of what the state is, and a politico-ethical discussion of
what the state ought to be.” That’s mean the scope of political science
includes a detailed study of the state in the past, present and future.
2. According to Garner,” Political Science begins and end ends with the
state.” He points out that the fundamental problems of political science are an
investigation of the origin and nature of the state.
3. According to Willougby,”Political science has no deal with three
important topics: State, Government and Law.” Prof. Goodnow is of the view that
Political Science divides itself into three parts: the expressions of the state
will, the content of the state will as expressed and the execution of the state
will.
4. According to the International Political Association, included those
subject to the scope of political science: Political Theory, Political
institution, Political Parties and International Relations.
5. Political sciences have recently widened the scope of the subject. They
feel that man’s social life is an integrated whole; any change in man’s social
environment is bound to have repercussions on man’s political life.
6. After the Second World War the state is not the only focus of discussion
in Political Science. There began a shift of emphasis from the state to the
political system as a whole.
Scopes of Political
Science are change time by time. And
the same time the Nature of Political
Science also change. The nature of Political Science are-
1. According to Austin Renney,” Politics and Government are among the
oldest and most universal of all human activities and institutions.” But the
nature of Political Science has undergone many changes from time to time. The
nature of Political Science is best depicted in its definitions given by
various Political scientists.
2. The Greek understood Politics in a broad sense. According to them the
very essence of social existence is Politics. Between the 19 and 20 centuries
“Political Science” was not understood in broad sense. During this period
Political science only related with the State. The nature of a subject also
changes along with the change of its scope.
3. There is a close affinity between Political Science and Sociology.
Sociology is a general social science. It deals with the fundamental facts of
social life and as political life is a part of social life. Political Science
may be regarded as a part of Sociology. One can’t think of politics without
society as Political Science deals with the political aspect of society.
4. Political Science is also a progressive science. Its scope is not
static. The scope of Political Science expands according to the changes which
takes place in human society.
5. Political Science is considered to be
an art. It has the characteristics of an art. From the point of view of applied
politics, it can be called an art as to practice it skill is necessary. Much
experience and training are necessary to master the art of Political Science.
6. Many scholars regard Political Science as a science. They call it is a
science because; scientific methods are adopted in the study of this subject.
Aristotle calls Political Science as the greatest science.
7. Political Science is also a descriptive
aspect. It describes political ideas and events in objective and scientific
manner. Some scholars are of the view that Political Science is mainly
descriptive in nature.
Keep it up sir
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