Introduction, Origin, Nature and Scope of Politial Science

 Meanings of Political Science

·     Study of state

·  Study of city state-Aristotle

·  The beginning and ending of political science is state – Dr. Garner

·        Study of government

·  Study of government – Prof. Dr. Stephen

·  Political science discuss about government as biology study living things, economics study about wealth, algebra study numbers and geography study land and its expansion.- Prof. Seely

·        Study of state and government

·  Study of state and government – Prof. Gilchrist

·  Political science study of state and relationship among states and analysis of past of a state, experiments of its present and prediction about its future- Gettle

·  Political science study three types of knowledge. I.e. state, government and law- Willoughby

·        Modern definitions

·  Political science study about conflicts generative through power and authority. – Greeves

·  Political science is the study of behavior and administration of various groups for the attainment of power.- Roudee and Anderson

·  Political science is and experimental science which studies formation of power and its sharing.-Dr. Lasswell

·        Comprehension definition

“Political science is that branch of social science that analyze the origin, evolution and goals of a state. Administration structure of government and its activities are also considered. It also studies behavior of common social institutions and human behavior which are directly or indirectly related with administrative affairs of a state.”

·        Scope of Political Science

·        Factors which enhanced the scope of political science

·  Area, population and authority of state

·  New trends of administration and management

·  Science and technological innovation

·  International relations

·  New types and system of governments

·        Study of state (it studies relationship of an individual with state)

·  past, (origin, evolution, constitutional development of a state and relations of people with government in historic aspects)

·  present (while keeping in mind the past experiences of states’ behavior, new amendments in institutions’ roles, importance and scope is studied) and

·  Future (role and importance of state in dynamic world politics. Overcome the past and present mistakes and planning for the future)

·  And ideal state

1.       Concept of Pluto’s ideal state

2.      Karl Marx’s class less society

·        Study of government (government is an administrative body which run the affairs of a state)

·  Types of government

1.       Monarchy

2.      Democracy

3.      Dictatorship

4.      Totalitarian  

·  Departments of government

1.       Parliament

2.      Administration

3.      Judiciary  

·  liberty and rights

·        Political dynamics

·  Factors affecting on government and political institutions like political parties, pressure groups, means of communication, and propaganda. These factors affect on generating public opinion about government and state.

·        Political concepts

·  Micaville’s concept of a successful kingship

·  Separation of power and authority concept of Montesquieu

·  Socialism, communism, capitalism etc

·        International aspects

·  Global village enhance interdependence of states

·  Formation of international organizations and international law

·        Public administration

·  Requirement of training institutions for technical expertise of administration

·  Policy making, development administration, new public administration concepts were emerged

Constitutional laws

·  Relations of various institutions of a state,

·  Distribution of authority

·  Rights and duties of state and citizens

·  Division of power among units and federation

·  Study of various states’ constitutions and their comparative study

·        Study of rights and duties

·  Social, economic and political rights of citizens for peace, prosperity and development of society

·  State has duty of security and protection of citizens along with their education and health facilities

·  Citizens have duties to be loyal with state, follow laws of the state and pay tax

·        Study of social aspects

·  Relationship of human being with state and its impact

·        Study of economic aspects

·  Economic stability brings political stability

·  Welfare state only possible when there is economic prosperity in the country

·  Many political ideologies are emerged due to economic factors

·  Political economy

·        Study of political aspects

·  Political awareness of citizens

·  Origin, evolution and growth of state

·  Constitution of state

·  International relations and role of state in international community

·        Study of ethical aspects

·  Tolerance in politics and society

·  End of horse trading and unethical political practices

·  Constitution of a state is based on ethical aspects of society

·        Local self government

·  Devolution of power at local level

·        Social institutions

·  Family

·  Political parties

·  Economic

·  Health

·        Study of human behavior

·  Almond and Truman claimed political science is based on human behavior instead of social institutions-behavioral school of thought

Importance and Utilization of Political Science

        “the best knowledge for human welfare-Emerson

·        George Bernard Shaw “this is the only knowledge which can be used to save human civilization”

• ·        Political awareness and consciousness

·  For the success of democracy political awareness is compulsory

·  Dictatorship ended because of political awareness of citizens  

• ·        Human values

·  Norms and values of a society

·  Enlighten moderation, tolerance and control of emotions

·  Eradicate the evils of heatedness, extremism and injustice

·  Great social values make good citizens that lead to an ideal and better state

• ·        Information about rights and duties of human being
• ·        Modern concepts 
  

·  Liberty – J S Mills

·  Government of the public –Rouse

·  Welfare state – Laski

·  Ideology behind any human revelation 

• ·        Success of democracy
• ·        Enhancement of general knowledge
• ·        International aspects
• ·        Preaching of political ethics
• ·        Professional status
• ·        Correct proportions in loyalties
• ·        Constitutional development
• ·        Utility of law
• ·        Solution of social and economic problems
• ·        End of dictatorship
• ·        Formation of a better state

·  States are formed for the fulfillment of human needs and they sustain because of better life- Aristotle

Is Political Science a Science or Not?

Argument against political science as a science

·        Writers: Maitland, august comet, lord Bryce, buckle, J. S Mills

·        Definition: “Science is a branch of knowledge of study, dealing with facts or truths systematically arranged and showing the operation of general laws”

·        “to organize the experiments is called science –Robert red flied

·        Principles of science are solid, final and unchangeable

·  Absence of laboratory

·  Absence of solid and universal principles

·  Absence of clear terminologies

·  Difference in methods of research

·  Contradictions in habits and emotions human being

Arguments in favor of political science as a science

·        Writers: blotchily, jelink, Pollock, burgess)

·  Uniform terminologies and principles

1.       Liberty, equality, democracy, supremacy of law, sovereignty, basic human rights, separation of judiciary and administration, awareness and literacy for the success of democracy, economic instability leads to political instability.

2.      The causes of revolution as defined by Aristotle still prevail

3.      Ibn-e-khudldin evolutionary theory of nation still prevail

4.      Islamic concept of state still hundred percent correct 

·  Observations and experimentations

1.       History is the experiment laboratory for political science student

2.      Every change of government, every war and every new law is an experiment for political science-Gilchrest

3.      Types and forms of government and their rising and downfall still previal

·  Solid and universal principles

1.       Elements of a state, population, geographical boundary, government and sovereignty are stable

2.      Exploitation of human being leads to revolution and civil war  

·  Astronomy, meteorology and geography

·  Predictions and forecasting

1.       Concentration of power in few hands, increase in tax, get rid of one’s civilization values lead to revolution – ibne khuldun

· 

    Origin of Political Science

·        Ancient Romans provide basic fundamental principles of political science. Ancient Rome comprised of 159 small states which were separated from each other, have their respective constitution and administration, and sovereign in nature. Each state comprised of small city “Polis” or “City State”.  State affairs are conducted through “Directive Democratic Principles” but women, slaves and labor was not considered as citizens. 

·  Socrates (philosophical explanation of politics)

·  Aristotle (“Politics”). Human being is a social animal but on the other hand he is selfish and confiscated the rights of others. This because of cause of conflicts among human beings. So, in order to resolve or end these conflicts an organized administration came into being which is known as “state” and the study of state is known as politics. In the past states were small and less populated but with the passage of time population, area and duties of state enhanced which ultimately increased the importance of politics. He declared political science as “Master Science”

·  Pluto (“Republic”, “Laws”)

 Nature of Political Science

                                i.)      An organized body of knowledge

                             ii.)      A specialized field of study

                           iii.)      Social science

                           iv.)      Emergence of new dimensions in state affair

Methods of Study of Political Science

·        Traditional methodologies

• ·  Experimentation methods
• ·  Observational methods
• ·  Comparative methods
• ·  Historical methods
• ·  Philosophical methods
• ·  Psychological methods
• ·  Biological methods
• ·  Sociological methods 
  

·     

   Modern trends in political science

• ·  Theories
• ·  Impact of policy
• ·  Political behavior
• ·  Political institutions
• ·  Power approach
• ·  Communication approach
• ·  Statistical methods
• ·  Development approach