WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE? DISCUSS THE NATURE AND SCOPS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE.

Q.   Define Political Science? Discuss the 

nature and scope of Political Science.

  Introduction-

                          State is as old as history and Political Science is as old as the State. The concept of Political science is one of the oldest subjects. And nobody can provide a proper definition of political science. The definition of Political science debited in to two parts- Traditional or classic definition and Modern definition.  

                 Traditionally the term Political Science used to be identified with the study of state and Government. There are some traditional definition given below-

                  According to Garner,” Political Science begins and ends with the state.”

                  According to P. Jenks,” Political Science deals with the State and Government.”

                  According to Paul Janet, “That part of social science which treats of the foundation of the state and the principles of government.”

             

                  All the above definition of traditional way, Political science is taken to be the study of State and Government. It is a social discipline involving a study of the organization and functions of the State and Government.

               After the Behavioural Revolution, the modern view of Political Science came into pace. Modern definitions of political science project it as the science of politics or as the science of human political relation. Some modern definition given below-

                According to H.J Price,” Politics is the exercise of power in society.” As a subject of study, politics means the study of power relations in society.

               According to Catlin,” Politics is the study of political aspects of organized human society.” Politics is struggle for power and influence.

               In simple words, we can say that Politics is the science of power or power-relations in society. It studies the exercise of power in society.

Nature of Political Science: 

                  1.     Political science is a developing subject. And the subject matter of Political science is always changeable.

                  2.     Political Science is a part of Social Science. Without study of Social Science we can’t develop Political Science.

                  3.     Political Science is a positive Science. Where we discuss about Government activity, relation between people and state, law making process etc.

                  4.     Political Science is a science where we discuss about Human beings.

Scope of Political Science:

                  1.     Study of State: State has been the Central focus of study in Political Science. Many scholars like Garner accept and advocate the view that Political Science begins and ends with the State. Study of origin, nature, purpose and functions of the State constitutes the core of the study of Political Science.

                 2.     Study of Government: Government is an essential element of the State. Study of state essentially involves the study of government of the State. In fact, Government is that agency of the state which exercises all the powers of the state.

                  3.     Study of Man as a Political being:  Political Science studies man as a political being just as economics studies man as an economic being. Man is a Political animal.

                  4.     Study of Political Groups and Political Structures: The scope of Political Science includes the study all those non-government and non-formal political groups and institutions which affect the policies and the functioning the government of the state.

                  5.     Study of Elections and Political Participation: Modern study of Political Science give added importance to the study of elections, electoral politics voting-behaviour and participation of the people in politics.

                  6.     Study of Comparative Constitutions: Each state has a constitution which is the supreme law of the state. The studies of Constitutions form an integral part of the scope of Political Science.

                   7.     Study of Political Behaviour: Another important part of the scope of Political Science in contemporary times is the study of the actual behavior of the people in the process of politics. Voting behavior, political participation, leadership recruitment, mass politics and other such activities form an integral part of the study of politics.

                   8.     Study of the Environment of Politics: The study of politics demands a study of the psychological, sociological, economical and anthropological environments, in fact, the total environment in which every political system operates.

                   9.     Study of Power, Influence and Authority:  Politics is the study of Power relations and interactions in society. Naturally it involves the study of power.

                   10. Study of Policy- making and Decision-making: Each political system is basically a system of making and implementation of binding politics and decisions.