Political Science: Meaning, Nature, Scopes, and Importance [7points]

When you are going to start the study of Political Science, the first thing you should know is the meaning nature, and scope of political science. Here I have explained each and every part of your query.

Human knowledge is basically divided into two extensive categories. One is Natural Science and the other one is Social Science.

Natural science deals with the physical world such as land, weather, water, forests, etc, whereas social science deals with the human being, their collective social life, and activities.

Humans have a multidimensional social life such as economic, political, historical, sociological, etc.

What is Political Science?

Political science is a part of social science that deals with the political problems of human beings and the subject matter of political science is political institutions (State, Government, Judiciary, Parliament, Pressure groups, Political Parties, etc.),  Political behavior, and activities of humans, etc. It is also related to other social science subjects like history, sociology, philosophy, economics, etc. 

Meaning and Definition of Political Science

Political science is the combination of two words one is Political and another one is science.

Political refers to power and authority. That is, everything related to power and authority is political. For example, all institutions (State, Government, Judiciary, Parliament, Pressure groups, Political Parties, etc) and actions of humans related to power are subject to politics.

The English word ‘Science’ comes from the Latin word ‘Scientia’, which means knowledge that is acquired by systematic study.

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So It means a systematic study of political institutions, the political behavior of human beings, political systems, international relations, and all the issues related to power and authority.

The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle said that “Man is by nature a political animal…he who is unable to live in a society or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must be either a beast or God”.

He is considered the father of political science because he is the first person who has defined politics using scientific methods.

The definition of political science is determined by the scope of its field of discussion. The scope of political science has been discussed in the last part of the writing.

The problems of people’s political life are increasing. As time has passed, people’s political thinking has developed more and more.

As a result, the number and variety of definitions of political science are increasing exponentially. There is no universal definition in any social science subject. Since it is a part of social science is also a dynamic science, so its definition is also dynamic.

There are two views to define political science. One is the Traditional View and the other one is the Modern view.

Traditional Definition of Political Science

All the concepts of political science before the nineteenth century belong to the traditional view. And the entire political scientists at that time is called traditional political scientists.

According to traditional political scientists, it deals with the state, Government, and other political institutions.

An American Professor Garner once said that ‘political science begins and ends with the state’.  In his view, political science is the social science that determines some formula about the origin and form of the state, the shape, nature, and history of political institutions, and political progress and development.

So in the traditional view, it discusses the origin, nature, ideals, and goals, of the state.

Here are some definitions by different authors of the traditional view

Political science is a historical investigation of what the state has been, an analytical study of what the state is, and a politico-ethical discussion of what the state should be.

R.G Gettel,

Political Science investigates the phenomena of the government as political economy deals with wealth, biology with life, algebra with numbers, and geometry with space and magnitude

John Robert Seeley

Political Science is that part of the social science which treats of the foundations of the sate and principles of the government

Paul Janet

Political science deals with the origin, development, purpose, and all political problems of the states.

Garies

Political science is concerned with the state and with conditions essential for its development.

Lord Acton

If you read the above definitions of traditional political scientists carefully then you have noticed that every definition of political science is concentrated on state and government.

So it is clear that in the traditional view, the field of discussion of political science was confined to the state and the government.

Modern Definition of Political Science

The flow of international events now has a profound effect on individual and national life. For this reason, state activity cannot be neutral to the flow of international events and customs.

The social and political relations of the socialized people, the relations of the state with the individual under the state, the relations of the social institution with the individual, and the interrelationships between different states, etc. are included in the modern view of political science.

The modern view of political science refers to the view of political scientists who emerges at the beginning of the twentieth century.

According to modern political scientists like George Catlin, Charles Marriam, Almond, Powell, and David Easton, political science not only deals with the state and government.

It has a broader area that also deals with individual’s political behavior, Political Power, Society, Political Culture, Political Socialization, International Laws, and International Relations, Political systems, Political Processes, and other political groups.

Must-Read- Political Culture: Meaning, Features, 4 Types, And Importance

Here are some definitions by different authors of the modern view

Politics is the study of Influence and the influential

Lasswell

Political Science concern itself with the life of men in relation to organized state

Laski

David Easton defines political science as an Authoritative allocation of values. He has not seen it as a discussion of state institutions but presents this as a discussion of a political system or process.

Politics is the struggle for power or the influencing of those power.

Max Weber

Acceptable Definition of Political Science

As I said, there is no universal definition of it. But from the discussion of the traditional and modern view of political science, it could have an acceptable definition.

Political science is a part of social science in which the philosophical, organizational, and administrative context of the state and politics, the context of national and international, legal and organizational relations, and the comparative context of multiple political systems are scientifically discussed and reviewed.

After completing the Meaning and definition of our topic “Meaning nature and scope of political science”, now it’s time for the Nature of Political Science.

Nature of Political Science

When you study political science, you see politics and political science are used interchangeably. Some political scientists use political theory and political philosophy and political science in the same way.

Again, many are reluctant to call it a science. In order to overcome such confusion, the nature of political science must be studied in a good way. So let’s start.

Political Theory, Political Philosophy, Politics, or Political Science?

The origin of the concept of the state is the need for human interaction. Political Theory includes various views and interpretations about the origin and development of the state, its nature, functions, organizations, and subsidiaries.

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Some basic questions about the nature and purpose of the state take place in the discussion of Political Philosophy.

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Although the name politics is used more for the sake of popularity, political scientists are willing to use the name political science.

Many people want to use the name political science in order to ensure that the discussion of politics does not become a futile policy, but prevails in practical politics.

Political science, like science, has the potential for observation, experience, analysis, and classification. It teaches us how it is possible to analyze political and humanitarian issues in the light of empirical and observational methods.

Scope of Political Science

As I said before, it is a dynamic and social science. That’s why it’s scope or subject matter is always changing.

Until the nineteenth century, its field of discussion was state-centered. At present, the state and any other issues that touch people’s political life are included in the discussion of political science.

So the Scope of political science can be divided into two categories.

1. State-Centric
2. Non-State-Centric

State-Centric discussion

The state is the ultimate expression of socialized life. People’s political life revolves around the state. As a result, the personality of the socialized people develops, and peaceful social life is possible. So there is no doubt that the state is the central subject of political science.

1. Study of Government

This state was again embodied through the government. The state cannot be imagined without the government. The state fulfilled its goals through the government. So the discussion of the state as well as the government becomes necessary.

2. Study of the history of the State

The idea of the present state remains incomplete if we do not discuss the history of the state. In the context of the past and present discussion of the state, it is necessary to see how this institution evolved from the past to the present.

3. Study of Laws

In addition to the state and the government, laws enacted by the government are also included in the discussion of political science. The government passes laws on behalf of the state and maintains peace. So the discussion of law is another matter of political science.

4. Study of International Relations and International laws

At present, the interaction between the citizen and the state is influenced by multiple issues. The flow of international events affects national life.

So, it also deals with international relations and international laws. It includes international organizations like the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and The World Bank.

5. Study of theoretical and applied political science

Theoretical discussions of political science are about the origin, nature, ideology, independence, law, etc. of the state.

On the other hand, the classification of government, functions, legislation, functions of political institutions, international customs, treaties, and diplomacy are the main topics of applied discussion in it.

Non-State-Centric Discussion

Modern political scientists think that at present political science deals not only with the state but with non-governmental organizations and individuals or groups of political activities, pressure groups, etc. So let’s discuss this in detail.

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1. Study of Influence and Influential

The study of politics is the study of influence and the influential.

Lasswell

Many times a person is getting others to work on what he wants. In this case, the person who did it is called influential and the power of the influential is called influence.

Similarly, a special relationship between an individual, a group, an organization, and a state is called influence.

influence is a relation among actors in which one actor induces other actors to act in some way they would not otherwise act.

Robart Dahl

In modern times many political scientists have emphasized influence as a subject of political science. The tendency of behavioral statesmen is particularly observed. According to them, the influential people of society control the distribution of goods or values.

And this is exactly the reason why it is necessary to discuss political science with influence and influential.

2. Study of Conflict and Disagreement

Conflict lies at the heart of politics. In a world of universal agreement, there would be no room for it.

J.D.B Miller

Disagreements and disputes create politics. That means the political situation is created when the work on which there is disagreement is organized. And that is when the law needs to be created and enacted.

According to eminent scientists, politics prevails when there is disagreement. And politics is about resolving that conflict.

So it can be said that it also deals with the conflict and disagreements which are occurred in any society and finding out the resolution of those conflicts.

3. Study of Authoritative Allocation of Values

According to Political scientist David Easton,  it deals with the authoritative allocation of values. “Political Science be described as the study of the authoritative allocation of values for society”.

Here are three words in the above sentence. These are Value, Allocation, and Authoritative.

The word value here refers to the needs and wants of socialized people. What is valuable to a person is what he needs. It is not possible to meet all the needs of all people in any society because every society has a shortage of resources.

So it meets the needs of some people. Conflict begins among members of society to meet their own needs. Conflict resolution is needed to prevent social crises as a result of this conflict.

Society has to constantly decide how much car needs to be met on the basis of limited resources. That is, in Easton’s language, how the value will be fixed or how its allocation will be.

Authority makes this important decision for society. The process of making this decision by the authority is called the allocation of values.

4. Study of Political Dynamics

The study of political dynamics is very important because it deals with the current forces at work in government and politics. It includes the study of political parties, pressure groups, public opinion, lobbies, etc.

Importance of Political Science

The study of political science is very important and significant in this socio-economic-political society. By studying it people can know how and why the state is organized and why its constitution is justified.

It makes people more conscious about their rights and duties. Those who know political science, always take useful part in social and political affairs.

Robert Dahl rightly said that “A citizen encounters politics in the government of a country, town, school, church, business firm, trade union, club, political party, civic association and a host of organizations. Politics is one of the unavoidable facts of human existence. Everyone is involved in some fashion at some time in some kind of political system.”

After knowing about the meaning nature and scope of political science, you have realized some basic points which tell you why to study it. or what is the importance of political science?

1. Understand Citizenship

It enables you to understand the relationship between an individual or citizen and the state. Citizen participates in the decision-making process of governance in the name of election and forms a government under which they are governed.

2. Know the Political Thoughts and Ideas of the Eminent Political Thinkers

We are influenced by the ideas of political thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Karl Marx, etc. and it helps us to understand the present political problem and allow us to find out the solution to those problems.

3. Make Citizen Conscious of Their Rights and Duties

I have already said that it allows us to understand our rights and duties in the society we live. Rights are the most important aspect of any individual.

Rights are the one that helps individuals to grow in terms of their talent. Besides this, it also tells citizens about their duties to society.

4. Understands Recent Trends in the World

It also allows us to understand the current trends in the world. By the study of political science, we can search for what is happening around us. This is the era of globalization. And globalization affects our daily life but how? To solve this question we have to study it.

5. Understand the Role of Government, Political Parties, and Pressure Groups

What should be the role of a political party and how do pressure groups affect the decision-making process of the government? 

It gives you clear ideas of these questions that help you to understand how the government is formed, what’s your role in the decision-making process of the government, etc.

So it can be said that a modern man cannot be perfect without knowing facts about political science. In simple importance it is precious. It improves our living standards.

Conclusion

After a long discussion on the Meaning Nature and Scope of Political Science, it can be concluded that it is the branch of social science in which we study the state, government, political theory, politics, political institutions, the life of political man, international relations, laws and organizations, influence and influential, authoritative allocation of values, etc.

So it can be said that it is a dynamic science which means the nature and scope of political science are extensive and always changeable. It empowers us to think differently about our society as a political as well as a social animal.

Let me share your experience with what you have learned in “Meaning Nature and Scope of Political Science“.

Share this with the needful students as much as you can. Thank you.

References

1. Mahajan, V. Political theory. 5th ed. India: S Chand & Company Ltd, 2015.
2. Easton, David. The Political System-An Inquiry into the Study of Political Science, New York, 1971.
3. Hacker, Andrew. Political Theory, New York, 1961.
4. Dahl, Robert A. A Preface to Democratic Theory, Chicago, 1967.