Political Science Quiz

Sub-disciplines of Political Science

• Political science is primarily divided into three main sub-disciplines: political theory, comparative politics, and international relations.
• Political theory explores ideas about justice, power, and governance, examining political ideologies and philosophical foundations.
• Comparative politics analyzes different political systems, comparing government structures, political behavior, and policies across countries.
• International relations focuses on the interactions between nations, including diplomacy, conflict, international organizations, and global issues.

Development of Contemporary Political Science

• The modern field of political science began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• It emerged as a distinct academic discipline, separating from philosophy, history, and sociology during this period.

Antecedents of Modern Political Science

• Political science has historical roots in ancient political philosophy, especially works by thinkers like Plato and Aristotle.
• Early political analysis was often intertwined with history and philosophy rather than being treated as a separate discipline.
• The formal study of governance and politics evolved influenced by Enlightenment thinkers who emphasized reason and empirical observation.

Early Associations of Political Science

• Before separating as an autonomous field, political science was closely associated with history and law, focusing heavily on historical governance models and legal structures.
• The distinction arose as scholars began to emphasize systematic observation and analysis over merely recounting historical events.

Focus of Political Science

• Political science primarily deals with the study of governance, power relations, and political behavior.
• It investigates how political systems operate, including the formulation and impact of policies, to understand citizens' involvement and the role of institutions.

Test your knowledge of political science with this quiz covering topics such as systems of governance, power, political activities, political thought, and political behavior. Explore sub-disciplines including comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.