Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is political science primarily concerned with?
What is political science primarily concerned with?
When did contemporary political science start to take shape as a distinct field?
When did contemporary political science start to take shape as a distinct field?
Which sub-disciplines can modern political science be divided into?
Which sub-disciplines can modern political science be divided into?
What was it uncommon for political science to be considered a distinct field from in the late 19th century?
What was it uncommon for political science to be considered a distinct field from in the late 19th century?
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What did political science begin to separate itself from in the latter half of the 19th century?
What did political science begin to separate itself from in the latter half of the 19th century?
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Which branch of science studies formal systems governed by axioms and rules?
Which branch of science studies formal systems governed by axioms and rules?
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Which discipline uses scientific knowledge for practical purposes, such as in engineering and medicine?
Which discipline uses scientific knowledge for practical purposes, such as in engineering and medicine?
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Which sciences study the physical world?
Which sciences study the physical world?
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Which sciences study individuals and societies?
Which sciences study individuals and societies?
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What is the primary characteristic that leads to disagreement about whether formal sciences are science disciplines?
What is the primary characteristic that leads to disagreement about whether formal sciences are science disciplines?
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Study Notes
Overview of Political Science
- Political science focuses on governance, political institutions, processes, and behavior within political systems.
- It explores the theory and practice of politics, as well as the analysis of political activity and political entities.
Development of Political Science
- Contemporary political science started to take shape as a distinct field in the early 20th century.
- It became more specialized with a clearer methodology and defined scope compared to earlier philosophical traditions of politics.
Sub-disciplines of Political Science
- Modern political science can be divided into sub-disciplines such as:
- Comparative politics
- International relations
- Political theory
- Public administration
- Public policy
- Political methodology
Historical Context
- In the late 19th century, it was uncommon for political science to be viewed as a distinct field separate from history and philosophy.
- Political science began to separate from philosophy, focusing more on empirical research and applying scientific methods.
Branches of Science
- Formal sciences study systems governed by axioms and rules, often including mathematics and logic.
- Applied sciences use scientific knowledge for practical applications, commonly seen in disciplines like engineering and medicine.
- Natural sciences investigate the physical world, encompassing fields such as physics, chemistry, and biology.
- Social sciences study individuals and societies, including areas like psychology, sociology, and economics.
Debates in Science Disciplines
- The primary characteristic leading to disagreement about whether formal sciences qualify as science disciplines is their reliance on abstract logic and theories rather than empirical observation and experimentation.
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Description
Test your knowledge of political science with this quiz covering topics such as systems of governance, political activities, international relations, and political theory. See how well you understand the field of political science and its various sub-disciplines.
