POLITICAL
SOCIOLOGY
The study of politics and
society
THE STUDY OF POLITICS IN
SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Political science (institutionalist approach)
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Political Psychology (individualist
approach)
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Political Anthropology (minimalist
approach)
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Political Sociology (social approach)
POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY
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Main focus of the discipline has been on
the political processes which take place
within human societies
Political processes such as
democratization, ideological affiliation,
revolution, political reforms, nationbuilding, citizenship, political identity
formation and development
POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY &
POLITICAL SCIENCE
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The general approach of the
discipline of political science towards
politics has been a state-centric one
(except the rising emphasis on the
role and influence of social factors in
most contemporary works), mostly
ignoring the factor of society and
social phenomenon in political
processes
POLITICAL SOCIOLOGY &
POLITICAL SCIENCE
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Political science: dealing with states, interstate relations, foreign policy making and
state institutions
Political sociology: dealing with the
relationship between state and society on
the bases of mutual interaction (states
shaped by the society and societies
shaped by the state): A continuous mutual
process of social and political change
STATE-CENTRIC APPROACH
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Ancient monarchic and imperial regimes
The Greek polis and Athenian democracy
The Feudal era
National monarchies
The republican age and nation-states
World divided by ideologies (World Wars
and Cold War)
Globalization
STUDY OF POLITICS IN THE
GLOBAL ERA
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The rebirth of identities in the political
arena
Globalizing economy
The rise of NGO’s (civil society)
International migration
State policies and differing reactions from
among the societies
Increasing awareness on political issues
due to technological advancements
THE SOCIETY FACTOR
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Reactions of people to political
events, phenomenon, political
institutions and processes and the
sociological basis of such differing
political behavior is the forthcoming
issue of political sociology in the
contemporary academic world
STATE & SOCIETY
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States founded by people whereas people
politically shaped and oriented by states
State policies
Political traditions
Political culture
Political propaganda
From social engineering towards political
engineering
Ideological state apparatus
SOCIETY and POLITICAL
BEHAVIOR
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Ethnic identities
Social stratification and classes
Gender
Age groups
Urban & Rural culture
Traditionalism & Reformism
THE MAIN ISSUE: POWER
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Power as the ultimate aim of all
political processes
Competition for power among
different social groups as well as
states
Differing faces of power: political
power, economic power, cultural
dominance