POLITICAL SCIENCE_ 080833.pptx 2024-25. .

Nature and scope of political science.

1. POLITICAL SCIENCE Meaning of Political Science Though known by several names as politics( Aristotle), Political Science(W. Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft), Science of state (R G Gettell ) and Science of politics (Sir Fredrick Pollack), this subject lacks a precise terminology. In many simple terms this subject is defined as a study of state and government. The English word ‘Politics’ originates from three Greek words; Polis City States with surrounding territories), Polity (Government) and Politeia (Constitution). Politics in the original Greek sense was a study of the state an its administration as well as philosophical terms. However, the point of difficulty at this stage is that the term politics is taken by the writers of textbooks both as a science and as an Art.

2. Politics is understood as the study of the state and government. There is confusion created when eminent writers make a distinction between its theoretical or academic and practical or applied dimension. Topics relating to the origin nature purpose an end of the state forming part of theoretical aspect. Whereas others relating to the actual administration of the affairs of the government belong to the area of applied politics. The state is a very complex affair and it studies from different point of view from economists, psychologists, sociologists and historians. The reason is that the state has diverse aspects. The two terms Political Science and Politics are used to mean the same thing. There is a line of distinction between the two that is Political Science refers to the body of knowledge relating to the phenomena of the state. Whereas politics refers to the sum total of the activities of the state, the actual administration of public affairs.

3. In Conclusion, it may be stated that despite the above mentioned problems Political Science in short begins and ends with state. It is a branch of Social Science dealing with the theory organization, government and practice of the state.

4. Science has categories- Physical science- observation Biological science- Biology, zoology etc Social science-Philosophy, anthropology, economics, Political Science Political Science- Absolute science which is exact science with no consensus. Lack of decision in political science Subjectivity- biased role Separation of powers such as Legislature, Executive, Judiciary Eg - Police force and misuse of power

5. Nature of Political Science Political Science is the study of politics in both its theoretical and practical aspects. Political Science is a social science. Its nature is different than physics and chemistry. While studying the origin, evolution and development of Political Science, there are different aspects of nature of Political Science needs to be identified. The meaning of Political Science shows it is a systematic study of Political Institutions, Political forces and processes. Despite various terminologies to study, political Science necessitates with the question of whether it is a science. -What is a Science Science is a systematic body of knowledge, the facts of which have been accurately and impartially collected, arranged and classified through the use of various scientific methods of observation, comparison and experimentation.

6. Political Science as not a Science Many Political thinkers are of the view that politics is not a really science. Following are the arguments:- Lack of universal terminology and method of study in politics. A term in an exact Science has only one connotation for all persons and is free from double interpretation. Whereas among political thinkers there is no consensus of opinion with respect to its scope methods, principles and conclusions. Lack of precision in politics Political principles are not precise and clear and hence are not universally accepted and applied. Political science has a set of its won terms like liberty, equality, rights, justice, democracy and power. But no term has a precise and standard definition of its own .

7. 3) ) Dealing with human beings and not inanimate substances in politics In case of physical sciences like physics and chemistry the composition of any substance or chemical can be easily, scientifically examined in a well euiped laboratory and its results become universal in nature. However, it is not so in the case of political science because human beings can never be reliable objects of experimentation. Political conditions can never be created and recreated artificially for the purpose of experimentation. The habits, sentiments, moods and temperament of the people differ from place to place. 4) Element of subjectivity Objectivity is an indispensable factor in any scientific investigation. The attitude of a scientist towards an inanimate substances in a laboratory is always without exception totally indifferent, unbiased and unprejudiced because the substances are lifeless.

8. 5) Unpredictable future course of events in politics It is nearly impossible for a political thinker to predict the future course of event this happens because of two important factors that is human mind is elastic and hence it is very difficult to know what shapes human motive and their impact will take. And the other social, economic and political relation are constantly undergoing change. What may be true today may not be true tomorrow. The effects are at times contrary and therefore cannot ne predicted.

9. Political Science as a Science It is true that Political Science cannot be ranked as a Science in the strict sense of the term. Yet, there are many scholars who consider Political Science as a Science. Following are the arguments in favor of political Science as a Science:- Politics is a Social Science Politics no doubt is not an exact Science like physics or chemistry because of the material it deals with which can be scientifically examined, observed and experimented in a laboratory. We have inexact sciences such as meteorology. Politics is one the Social Sciences which are inexact by their very nature. 2) Politics is a systematic body of knowledge Politics is not haphazard growth of knowledge. It is a systematic body of knowledge when the facts of which have been as far a possible accurately and impartially collected, organized and classified on thee basis of proper observation, comparison and some sort of experimentation.

10. 3) Numerous Political experiments There are numerous political experiments from which the students of political science can benefit. i ) For example, Aristotle (Father of Political Science) considered politics as a supreme science based on his volume. His work on “Politics” was the study of 158 constitutions. ii) After a comparative study of working of the various constitutions in different countries B N Rau the constitutional advisor to the government of India placed the general fact before the members of the Constituent Assembly for their guidance in the task of framing the Constitution of India.

11. 4) The quality of making predictions It is said that a science has the quality of making predictions. Some scholars state that political science has no such quality. This argument may be correct but it should be studied in a different way. In various studies it is shown that the element of prediction can be created in Political Science. For example, on the basis of certain laws of social development, Marx and Engels could predict the emergence of socialism at the fall of capitalism that took place in the twentieth century.

12. Scope of Political Science The scope of Political Science means the subject matter of content of Political Science. There is no unanimity or no consensus among scholars regarding the scope of Political Science. There is a lack of precision in the definition and meaning of Political Science and that creates confusion regarding the precise boundaries of the subject. According to Willoughby Political Science has to deal with three great topics such as State, Government and law. The subject matter of Political Science includes the following:- 1) Study of State and Government Political science is the science of state and government. It conducts a scientific study of both the state and government. It deals with the nature and formation of the state and tries to understand various forms and functions of government. Political science makes a thorough investigation of the state from the tribal state to the nation state. It tries to understand how people organized themselves in the past. It also deals with the various elements, functions and sphere of state activity.

13. 2) Study of Political Theory Political Theory is a major branch of Political Science. It deals with anything about politics or relevant to politics. It is a disciplined investigation of political problems. On the basis of political thinkers Political Theory attempts to explain and predict political phenomena. 3) Study of Political Institutions The study of Political institutions includes a study of constitutions and comparative governments. It deals with the nature of different political institutions including government that explains their merits and demerits, their structure and working. The study of public administration and local government is also included. These institutions are useful to the nations and have their utility in society. 4) Study of Political dynamics It means the current forces at work in government and politics. It covers a wide range and includes the study of political parties, public opinion, pressure groups etc. A scientific study of the working of these political dynamics help to explain political behaviour of individuals and groups. The study in this field is often done in collaboration with other social sciences like Sociology, Anthropology and Psychology.

14. 5) Study of adjustments of individual with the state The study of political science includes the nature of the relationship between the individual and the state. It is interesting to examine how ,an adjusts himself within society. Man is the root of politics, as he is a social animal. The process of adjustment of man and society is an important aspect of political science. The state guarantees certain rights and liberties to its citizens and also imposes certain reasonable restrictions on them. If maximum state intervention leads to loss of liberty the complete absence of state intervention leads to anarchy. 6) Study of international relations and international law The scope of political science includes a study of international relations. It studies both political and non-political relations, state actors and non-state actors. Hence, it covers a wide range of topics such as diplomacy, international politics, international organizations, war and conflict. In recent times the study of international relations has become as independent subject. The study of political science also includes study of international law. International law is defined as a body of general principles and specific rules which are binding upon the member state.