Political Science: Social Science Explained

• Social science involves studying human society and social relationships
• Various disciplines are encompassed, like political science, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and history, which fall under the umbrella of social science
• Methods used in science are used to investigate social phenomena
• Understanding how people behave in social contexts, how societies are organized, and how social change occurs is the goal of social science

Political Science

• Politics and government are examined in the study of political science

• Theory and practice of politics, political systems, political behavior and public policy are examined

• Understanding how power is distributed and exercised, how decisions are made, and how conflicts are resolved are the goals of political science

• Political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and public administration are key subfields

• Philosophical foundations of political ideas and concepts, such as justice, liberty, and democracy are explored in Political Theory

• Different political systems around the world are examined and compared in Comparative Politics

• Identifying patterns and explaining differences in political institutions, processes, and outcomes is the goal of comparative politics

• Interactions between states and other actors in the international system are examined in International relations

• Diplomacy, war, trade, and international organizations are topics covered in international relations

• Implementation of public policies and the management of government agencies occurs in public administration

Core Concepts in Political Science

• Political entity that possesses a monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a given territory makes up a state
• Key characteristics of a state include sovereignty, territory, population, and government
• Institutions and processes through which a state is ruled are part of a government
• Democracies, authoritarian regimes, and monarchies are forms of governments
• Ability to influence the behavior of others defines power
• Coercion, persuasion, and authority are ways to exercise power
• Legitimate right to exercise power defines authority
• Established institutions and norms, based on the consent of the governed make up authority
• Belief that a government or political system is rightful and should be obeyed defines legitimacy
• Maintaining stability and order depends on legitimacy
• Set of beliefs and values that shape a person's views on politics and government comprise Political Ideology
• Liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and communism are common political ideologies
• System of government in which political power is held by the people defines democracy
• Free and fair elections, protection of civil rights, and the rule of law characterize democracies

Approaches to Studying Politics

• Use of quantitative methods and empirical data to study political behavior is emphasized in Behavioralism
• Identifying patterns and regularities in political behavior and develop general theories is what Behavioralists seek to do
• Role of institutions in shaping political outcomes is focused on in Institutionalism
• Institutions provide the rules of the game that structure political behavior, Institutionalists argue
• Individuals are rational actors who seek to maximize their own self-interest assumption in Rational Choice Theory
• Using models and deductive reasoning to explain political phenomena is done by Rational choice theorists
• Role of ideas, norms, and culture in shaping political identities and interests is emphasized in Constructivism
• Social reality is constructed through shared understandings and meanings, Constructivists argue
• Role of economic factors in shaping political power and social relations is focused on in Marxism
• Society is divided into classes and that the ruling class uses the state to maintain its dominance according to Marxists
• Role of gender in politics is examined and seeks to promote gender equality in Feminism
• Traditional political theories have often ignored or marginalized women's experiences argue Feminists

Key Topics in Political Science

• How individuals and groups behave in the political arena is studied in Political Behavior
• Voting behavior, political participation, public opinion, and political psychology fall under Political Behavior
• Structure and function of political institutions, such as legislatures, executives, and judiciaries is examined in Political Institutions
• Electoral systems, political parties, and interest groups fall under Political Institutions
• Process by which governments make and implement policies is analyzed In Public Policy
• Policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation fall under Public Policy
• Interactions between states and other actors in the international system is explored in International Relations
• War, diplomacy, trade, and international organizations are topics covered in International Relations
• Different political systems around the world are compared in Comparative Politics
• Identifying patterns and explaining differences in political institutions, processes, and outcomes is what Comparative Politics seeks

Methods Used in Political Science

• Data on attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors from a sample of individuals is collected through Surveys
• Hypotheses about cause-and-effect relationships are tested through Experiments
• In-depth analysis of a single event, individual, or institution is analyzed in Case Studies
• Quantitative data is analyzed and patterns and relationships are identified through Statistical Analysis
• Collection and analysis of non-numerical data, such as interviews, documents, and observations is done through Qualitative Research Mathematical models are used to represent political phenomena and make predictions through Formal Modeling

Importance of Political Science

• Helps us understand the world around us and the forces that shape our lives
• Insights into the workings of government and the political process
• Equips us with the knowledge and skills to be informed and engaged citizens
• Informs public policy debates and promotes evidence-based decision-making
• Contributes to the development of democratic institutions and the protection of human rights