Mikolaj Wozniak
Politics&Sociology
Is there such as thing as Political Science?
Politics... throughout the ages, the meaning of that world constantly changed. Aristotle
perceived it as an art of managing the state pro publico bono. Several centuries later, Max Weber
described it as an aspiration to come to power or to influence the distribution of reign over the
country. However, from the Ancient philosophers up to the contemporary thinkers, everyone
deliberated over one fundamental question. The seemingly everlasting dilemma is: what domain
does politics belong to – is it a science or rather an art?
There is no precise answer to that allegedly easy question. What is more, there can be as
many points of view as the number of the people concerned with the issue. Nevertheless, two main
trends exist – the belief that politics is an art, and that it is actually a science.
The arguments followers of the 'scientific theory' use are born of pure analytical reasoning.
First of all, it is taught at the universities of the world – if it is, it must have contents. Therefore, if
the knowledge of politics can be bequeathed to the following generations, it must be a science.
Apart from that reasoning, there are of course some other explanations. Contemporary
politics perceived as a science bases on the very same ways of analysis as the biological science.
As in the case of sociology, as Emile Durkheim stated, all the subjects (from physics through
chemistry to psychology) interweave, coexist with each other. As it could be noticed, the methods
of inquiry used in all these fields is very similar. That is another evidence politics might be treated
as a member of the “hierarchical family”.
Also, the etymology of the word speaks clearly for itself. It takes its roots from Greek polito,
polites – the citizen, and logia – the knowledge. In that combination of words it is used worldwide
The other side of this philosophical conflict are the followers of the “Art of Politics” theory.
They regard the subject both as a way of life and a talent of understanding the events taking place.
The main point revolves around the fact politology (as it might also be called) uses the
knowledge of Humanities during the research of all kind.
Another argument 'for' is that the political science actually underlies the intellectual
background of the structures of the state and the society – a guide only an art could be.
What is more, political science is based on the gift of demagogy firm as no other – without
the inclusion of it, there would be no passionate and fiery speeches of present and past politicians to
analyze during the inquiries.
The American Political Science Association presents the Political Science as the studies on
governments, public politics and political decorum with using perspectives and the abilities of both
Humanities and 'Exact' sciences in order to inspect all the countries and regions of the world.
That definition shows Politics brings together what is best in both those wide fields to obtain the
most effective mixture.
To conclude, there is such as thing as Political Science. I think it has many facets and layers
– it is therefore up to one which aspect will he concentrate on.