—Introduction of Political Science

—Evolution

—Evolution of PS

—The History of PS – a curve of scientific progress in the study of politics begin in Greek political science, make modest gains in the Roman centuries, not much progress in the Middle Ages, rise a bit in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, some substantial gains in the 19th century and solid growth in the 20th century acquiring professional characteristics.

—It properly begins with Plato (428-348 B.C.E.) {The Republic, The Statesman and The Laws} and refined by his disciple Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.) {Politics}

—Historical Development of PS

—A dynamic science concerned with human beings as political animal and power-centered state.

—Aristotle termed it ‘Master Science’ and held a philosophical and pragmatic view. ‘Good’ politics

—Derived from combination of three Greek words – polis (city-state), polity (government or state or political org.) and politia (constitution).

—For Gettel – ‘science of state’; for Seeley – ‘science of government’; Lindsay Rogers – ‘science of the art of government’; Paul Genet- ‘science of state and government’; Willoughby – ‘science of state, government and law’; Frederick Pollock – ‘science of politics’  

—Contd…

—Since 1948 UNESCO has designated the science as PS but after WWII in G. Britain preferred to call Politics.

—The discipline came into separate existence from mid 20th century can be divided into two.

—One following traditional norms and values identified with Classical Political Science and the other applying novel perspectives is Modern or New Political Science.

—Classical Political Science

—From ancient Greek period into late 19th or early part of 2oth century traditionalism in scholarship was maintained.

—After early 20th century as said by David Easton changes in values, norms and perspectives in the discipline. A reform in methodology and approach.

—Machiavelli (Renaissance political thinker), Hobbes, Locke, etc developed new thinking but were classified under traditional view.

—Four bases of Classical PS or four values and approaches

—Bases of Classical PS

—1. Historical – historical facts and values, historical decision and method influenced much, comparative study and appraisal of constitutions reliable in historic decision.

—2. Analytical – analysis of political facts and views, comparative and analytical study of political subjects like state, law, sovereignty, rights, justice, etc.

—3. Normative or prescriptive – ideals, what ought to be, guidance, explanation and special study of political ideals, norms and values replaced with timely need

—4. Descriptive or taxonomical – Since 1903 after est. APSA, appraisal of political org., distribution and use of power.

—Modern or New PS

—Development after WWI and esp. in 1920s and 1930s. New explanation and perspectives.

—Active after est. APSA and American Political Scientists at Chicago, Michigan, Princeton, Yale, etc. Then Ford, Rockefeller, Carnegie Foundations etc

—Departure from traditional PS, change in definition, scientific and pragmatic approach, fact laden, research oriented, logical, predictable.

—Study of power not only state and govt.

—Laswell - Renaissance or recovery of Classical PS 

—Modern or New PS

—Empirical approach adopted as used in Aristotle era.

—State of power, its origin, development, activities, effect and interactions – Laswell, Kaplan etc

—Refined, autonomous and neutral from political subject matter. Value-neutral. Study of process between the state and society – Powell, Bentley etc

—1950-60 behaviouralism applied – Charles Merriam, David Easton, Powell, Almond, Laswell, Dahl, etc

—8 principles of intellectual movement – intellectual uniformity, verification of facts, scientific method, quantification, value-free perspectives, chronological development of knowledge, use of natural sciences and interdisciplinary.

—Modern or New PS

—Three aspects:

—1. Political Activity – study, appraisal and explanation of actions, interactions and reactions of political activities, political sociology – state-society relations

—2. Political Process – political analysis of state-society actors, Easton’s political method, system analysis and structural functionalism

—3. Political Power – emphasis on power – 3 dimensions – political, economic  & ideological – attributes of national power

—Since 1960s another revolution in PS – post-behaviouralism.

—APSA President David Easton declared new development in PS in 1969.

—Forgo novice behaviouralism and added new relevancy to meet the contemporary situation e.g. human ideals, coordination of result and quality, respect to traditional norms and values, third world realities, peace, feminism, etc

—New PS emphasized on scientism and factography and sidelined eternal norms and values; no recognition to law and ethics; critics declared it as unpolitical and untheoretical. Renaissance of traditional political ideals and values.

—THE END

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