Political Science: The Systematic Study of Power and Governance
Political science is the academic field dedicated to the scientific study of politics. It examines the complex systems of governance and power, analyzing political activities, thought, behavior, and the legal frameworks—such as constitutions—that shape how societies are managed. While it shares a subject matter with political philosophy, the two differ fundamentally in approach: where philosophy is normative and relies on value judgments, political science is descriptive and explanatory, prioritizing empirical evidence and the de facto status quo over ethical evaluations.
Professionals in this field, known as political scientists, typically hold a master's or doctoral degree. The discipline seeks to articulate what is actually happening in political systems rather than what "ought" to be, utilizing a rigorous framework to understand the mechanics of power.
Key Facts
- Core Focus: Analysis of governance, power, political behavior, and law.
- Methodology: Favors empirical evidence and quantitative research over normative value judgments.
- Origins: Emerged as a distinct discipline in the late 19th century from history, philosophy, and law.
- Major Milestone: The "behavioral revolution" of the 1950s shifted focus toward scientifically explaining human behavior.
- Leading Body: The American Political Science Association (APSA), founded in 1903, serves over 11,000 members globally.
The Evolution of the Discipline
Academic Origins
Political science established itself as a university discipline in the late 19th century, driven by the rise of positivism and empiricism. This period saw the creation of dedicated university chairs and departments, separating the study of politics from broader fields like history and sociology. A pivotal moment occurred in 1903 with the founding of the American Political Science Association (APSA), followed by the American Political Science Review in 1906. These institutions helped define the field as distinct from economics and other social phenomena.
Global expansion followed in the late 1940s through a UNESCO initiative. This led to the 1949 founding of the International Political Science Association, as well as national associations in France (1949), Britain (1950), and West Germany (1951).
The Behavioral Revolution and Institutionalism
During the 1950s and 1960s, the field underwent a "behavioral revolution." This movement shifted the academic lens away from the mere interpretation of legal texts and institutions toward the systematic, scientific study of individual and group behavior. Key contributors to this shift included Robert Dahl, Philip Converse, and the collaborative work of sociologist Paul Lazarsfeld and public opinion scholar Bernard Berelson. This era introduced quantitative research methods, such as surveys and empirical testing, to provide unbiased and neutral explanations of political action.
Analyzing Political Transitions and Crises
A significant branch of modern political science focuses on the theory of political transitions and the anticipation of crises. Researchers develop indicators to diagnose critical transitions before they occur. One such statistical indicator involves monitoring a simultaneous increase in variance and correlations within large groups.
For example, analysis of the 2014 Ukrainian economic and political crisis revealed a pre-crisis stress period where the total correlation between 19 major public fears increased by approximately 64%, while their statistical dispersion rose by 29%. Despite these tools, some major revolutions remain unpredictable, leading to the development of theories regarding the apparent inevitability of certain political upheavals.
Summary of Political Science Frameworks
| Feature | Political Philosophy | Political Science |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Normative evaluation (what should be) | Descriptive/Explanatory (what is) |
| Basis of Analysis | Value judgments and ethics | Empirical evidence and data |
| Key Methods | Philosophical reasoning | Surveys, historical analysis, quantitative testing |
| Focus Area | Foundations of politics | Systems of power and behavior |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between political science and political philosophy?
Political philosophy is primarily normative, meaning it evaluates politics based on value judgments and ethics. Political science, conversely, is an empirical field that focuses on describing and explaining the actual state of political systems using evidence and data.
What was the behavioral revolution in political science?
The behavioral revolution occurred in the 1950s and 1960s, shifting the discipline's focus from the study of formal institutions and legal texts to the scientific analysis of individual and group political behavior using quantitative methods.
How do political scientists anticipate political crises?
Political scientists use indicators such as the simultaneous increase of variance and correlations in large groups to diagnose potential crises. This method was notably used to analyze the stress period preceding the 2014 Ukrainian crisis.
What is the role of the American Political Science Association (APSA)?
Founded in 1903, APSA is the leading professional organization for the field. It helps distinguish political science from other social sciences and currently serves more than 11,000 members across more than 100 countries.