Define political science. Is political science a science? Argue for and against.
Definition of Political Science: -
Professor Gettel says that political science is a political and ethical discussion of what the state was - its historical research, its analytical discussion of the present state, and its future state.
According to Garner, the discussion of political science about the state is the beginning and the end.
According to Burgess, political science is the science of freedom and sovereignty.
According to Paul Janne, political science is the part of social science that deals with the foundations of the state and the principles of government.
Behavioral political scientist David Easton says that political science is a discussion of the authoritative allocation of value.
Marxist statesmen have gone so far as to define the definition of political science, saying that conflict exists everywhere in the state. Disputes exist between the ruler and the ruled within the state. Political science analyzes the origin, dynamics and consequences of these conflicts which have taken place in different parts of the state and at different times.
According to modern political scientists, political science not only deals with the state, but also with all governmental and non-governmental organizations, political parties, political behavior, public opinion, coercive groups, and so on.
Thus, it is not possible to give a universally accepted and definite definition of political science. Therefore, it can be said that political science is the branch of social science which deals with the origin of the state, different elements of the state, dynamics of state, different political institutions, public opinion, international relations, government and its various forms.
Is Political Science a science ? Arguments for and against: -
There is a consensus among political scientists to call political science a science . On the one hand, the Greek philosopher Aristotle called political science "the best science." He was followed by Lord Bryce, Pollock, Hobbes, Montesquieu, and behavioral statesmen . However, August Conte, Maitland, Burke and others opposed calling political science a science.
Argument for calling political science a science: -
1. It is possible to acquire coherent and specialized knowledge: - Science is the acquisition of coherent and specialized knowledge about a subject and systematic reading. It is also possible to acquire coherent, precise and specialized theoretical and practical knowledge about the state in the field of political science. So those who do not agree to call political science science do not understand science, says Pollock.
2. It is possible to apply scientific method: - Experience about the politics and political life of people can be accumulated through scientific methods like observation, examination, data collection, material analysis etc. in discussion of political science like other branches of science.
3. Research is possible: - As science studies its subjects in a laboratory, that laboratory of political science is the whole world. Research is being carried out on the political world of the whole world and its ideological system and activities. On the basis of this continuous research, general decisions can be made on political science subjects like other branches of science.
4. Behavioral Efforts: - Over the past few decades, behavioral statesmen have been associated with attempts to make political science completely scientific by following the methods of physics. They have categorized political science into science by applying various mathematical techniques, diagrams, data collection, listing, numbering, etc. in the discussion of political science.
5. Theory and information - importance on both: - In the discussion of political science, importance is given on both theory and information. One has to come to a general conclusion based on both theory and information. It is worth mentioning here that Marx and Engels gave a scientific explanation of the evolution of social evolution based on both theory and information.
6. Valuable Neutral Discussion: - Behavioral political scientists have made political science value neutral by applying various mathematical methods, statistics, etc. in the discussion of political science. Behaviorists, therefore, think that since it has been possible to apply mathematical methods to the discussion of political science, there should be no problem in calling political science a science.
7. It is possible to make predictions about the state and political life: - It is possible to make predictions about the state and political life in the discussion of political science as well as various subjects of science. In particular, it is possible to predict the outcome of elections and the evolution of political policy through public opinion polls.
8. It is possible to establish universal and general decision : - It is possible to establish general and universal decision on various issues and problems in the political field. It is possible to solve various problems of political life based on these formulas. Also, it is possible to establish general formulas in political science as well as in the field of science on various subjects like state and political evolution, various political events and political ups and downs.
Argument against calling political science as science: -
1. Extensiveness and uncertainty of content: - The content of political science is much wider than other natural sciences and uncertainty is one of its features. It is not possible to observe, examine and decide on this vast and uncertain subject like the subjects of science.
2. The content of political science is variable: - The main field of discussion of political science is society. But society is always changing; Not as fixed and unchanging as the subjects of science. Therefore, like other subjects of science, it is not possible to discuss the subject of political science with the help of scientific approach and method.
3. It is not possible to adopt geometric methods: - Political science deals with various aspects of human life and the various problems of the state. Human behavior, activities - etc. are very complex. Therefore, it is not possible to explain or understand all the problems of the state by applying geometric formulas.
4. It is not possible to come to a definite conclusion: - It is not possible for a political science to come to a definite conclusion through experiments and observations like the subjects of natural sciences. Feelings and emotions are involved in people's political life. These cannot be tested by any scientific experiment.
5. Disagreements among political scientists on the subject : - Disagreements among scientists on scientific issues are very unlikely. But in the field of political science - the origin of the state, the purpose and nature of the state, democracy - these are the various topics where there are differences among political scientists.
6. Only the discussion of human political life: - Physics deals with almost all the objects in the material world. But political science only deals with the politics and political life of the people.
7. It is not possible to establish definite principle about political life: - Every element and subject of nature is governed by specific natural principles and rules. But the political life of the people does not follow any such principle.
8. Laboratory tests are not possible: - It is possible to come to the correct conclusion by testing the subjects of natural sciences in the laboratory. But it is not possible to test people, society and people's political life in any way in the laboratory.
9. It is not possible to reject values: - The subjects of natural sciences are objective sciences. There is no place for values. But in the discussion of political science, it is not possible to exclude values when researching and discussing the political life of the people.
10. Decisions and results cannot be expressed in numbers: - It is possible to express the results and decisions of natural science subjects in numbers. But even if numbers can be applied in the discussion of political science, its application is limited and it is never possible to express the results of political science in numbers.
11. Lack of universality: - Universal acceptance has not been established on the various principles and decisions subject of political science . Due to differences in state-system, differences in political ideology, differences in social structure and tradition, etc., the results of a political study cannot be applied to all societies or states.
12. Impact of personal thinking: - Truth is established in the subjects of natural sciences on the basis of experiment and logic. But the theories of political science can be influenced by the personal ideals and thoughts of political scientists.
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