They include some great achievements both locally and worldwide on when political science goes right, and occasionally, wrong. However, if the term science applies to any body of systematically organized knowledge based on facts ascertained by empirical methods and described by as much measurement as the material allows, then political science is a science, like the other social disciplines. Political science is a discipline that deals with the composition and function of the country’s government. Author of. In the 1960s the American historian of science Thomas S. Kuhn argued that political science was “pre-paradigmatic,” not yet having developed basic research paradigms, such as the periodic table that defines chemistry. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Political Science faculty is active in research centers around campus, including the Asian Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Human Rights and Democracy, and Middle East Centers. These facts tell you more about the history of political science and highlight the incredible and not so incredible achievements of politicians around the globe. Guide to Online Political Science Degrees, United States Declares Independence From England, Emperor Constantine Converts to Christianity, 25 Interesting Facts About the History of Political Science, The Five Most Common Political Systems Around the World, Average Salary Earned With a Political Science Degree, Potential Career Paths With a Political Science Degree. Political science is a branch of social science that is concerned with theory, description, analysis and prediction of political behavior, political systems and politics. Political science, the systematic study of governance by the application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis. Political philosophy is concerned primarily with political ideas and values, such as rights, justice, freedom, and political obligation (whether people should or should not obey political authority); it is normative in its approach (i.e., it is concerned with what ought to be rather than with what is) and rationalistic in its method. This has led some scholars to question whether the discipline can be accurately described as a science. Comparative politics focuses on politics within countries (often grouped into world regions) and analyzes similarities and differences between countries. Approaches include positivism, interpretivism, rational choice theory, behaviouralism, structuralism, post-structuralism, realism, institutionalism, and pluralism. As traditionally defined and studied, political science examines the state and its organs and institutions. Modern university departments of political science (alternatively called government or politics at some institutions) are often divided into several fields, each of which contains various subfields. Omissions? Updates? Political theory includes classical political. Interesting Facts About the History of American Political Science United States Declares Independence From England We all know that the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, but there are many unknown facts surrounding the event. Premium Membership is now 50% off! Memorial University - Department of Political Science - Why Study Political Science? Public policy examines the passage and implementation of all types of government policies, particularly those related to civil rights, defense, health. And the above 25 interesting facts about the history of political science are just some of the few moments that have shaped our nations and our world. Chair and Professor, Department of Political Science, Lycoming College, Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Political science as a discipline evolved further in the 19th century and the American Political Science Association—the largest professional association of political scientists—was established in 1903. Once a branch of philosophy, political science nowadays is … By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Although political science borrows heavily from the other social sciences, it is distinguished from them by its focus on power—defined as the ability of one political actor to get another actor to do what it wants—at the international, national, and local levels. Within Political Science, students can further specialize in Pre-law or International Affairs. Students. Those studying for a degree in political science will learn about many people and events that shape our world and will continue to. Political scientists study the allocation and transfer of power in decision-making, the roles and systems of governance including governments and international organizations, political behavior and public policies. Political science, the systematic study of governance by the application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis. Undergraduate Programs. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. For those looking for a career in political science or even those who have a passing interest, we have attempted to make sense of them all by sorting them into 25 interesting facts about the history of political science listed by date. Domestic politics is generally the most common field of study; its subfields include. Political science is generally used in the singular, but in French and Spanish the plural (sciences politiques and ciencias políticas, respectively) is used, perhaps a reflection of the discipline’s eclectic nature. Black Friday Sale! In contrast, political science studies institutions and behaviour, favours the descriptive over the normative, and develops theories or draws conclusions based on empirical observations, which are expressed in quantitative terms where possible. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). As traditionally defined and studied, political science examines the state and its organs and institutions. It is likely that political science never will develop a single, universal paradigm or theory, and attempts to do so have seldom lasted more than a generation, making political science a discipline of many trends but few classics. Although political science overlaps considerably with political philosophy, the two fields are distinct. Student that go to school to earn a political science degree will learn about the humanistic position and how to use scientific skills together to examine the political structures of the United States as well as other countries around the world. The contemporary discipline, however, is considerably broader than this, encompassing studies of all the societal, cultural, and psychological factors that mutually influence the operation of government and the body politic. Save 50% off a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. But with all the past kings, presidents, prime ministers, and private citizens all having impacts of varying degrees, it can be confusing to put them all into context. political science - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Although political science, like all modern sciences, involves empirical investigation, it generally does not produce precise measurements and predictions. The term political science is often contrasted with politics which is concerned with the activities of country’s governance, with the aim of achieving and using power or authority. Political science studies governments in all their forms and aspects, both theoretical and practical. Political science is the in depth study of the government, public policies and political behaviors. 19th-century roots of contemporary political science, https://www.britannica.com/topic/political-science. For example, the 13 colonies agreed on independence from England but little else. Political science is methodologically diverse and appropriates many methods originating in psychology, social research and cognitive neuroscience. 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