Welcome to the Presentation
Introduction to Political Science
Facilitated By
Mohammad Alauddin
MSS in Government and Politics
MPA in Governance and Public Policy
Deputy Secretary
mohammad_alauddin@yahoo.com
CSC, Dhaka January 01, 2011
Outline
 Introduction
 What is Political Science?
 Historical Evolution
 Is Political Science a Science?
 Nature & Scope
 Methodology
 Utility
 Concluding Remarks
Introduction
Political Science is one of the number of titles for the academic study of politics in all its dimensions. As an academic
discipline the subject is very old, which can be traced back to ancient Greece (about 500 to 300 BC). However,
Political Science, as currently conceived, is a relatively new concept that dates to the nineteenth-century United States.
With the passage of time, emergence of new knowledge and methods have modified the traditional definition of the
discipline and widened its scope as well.
What is Political Science?
Political Science is the study of State , government and politics.
A State is an entity possessing a permanent population, a defined territory, a government commanding obedience, the
capacity to deal with other States. [Vide Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States Signed at
Montevideo, 26 December 1933 and entered into Force, 26 December1934]
Government is the political organization through which the collective will of the people is formulated , expressed and
executed. As a matter of fact, the state operates through the government machinery. Government is also defined as an
organization that possesses the legitimate means of coercion in a society.
Politics can be simply defined as the activity by which differing interests within a given unit of rule are conciliated by
giving them a share in power in proportion to their importance to the welfare and survival of the whole community.
As the State remains the central subject of the study, traditional writers defined Political Science in terms of the State.
According to Bluntsehli, Political Science is the science of State. According to French writer Paul Janet Political science
is that branch of social science which treats the foundations of the State and the principles of government
With the interaction of new forces necessitating new approaches to the study of Political Science, it has been suggested
that Political Science should no longer be defined in terms of objects such as the state. Catlin defines Political science as
the study of “the act of human and social control” or “the study of control relationship of wills”. German writers regard
it as ‘the study concerning the problem of power and social control’.
In the early 1950s and the 1960s, a behavioral revolution stressed the need for systematic and rigorously scientific study
of individual and group behavior. This has shifted the emphasis of political studies away from traditional legalinstitutional manifestation.The central question that behaviouralists ask is :“Why do individuals, institutional actors and
nation-states behave in the way they do?” Behaviouralists are interested in establishing pattern of causation.
The basic pattern of behavioral reasoning is illustrated in the following figure.
Stimulus x
Political Behaviour y
Sistematic concequences z
Figure: Basic reasoning of behavioral political science.
American Political scientist Hrold D. Lasswell defines “Political Science as an empirical discipline, (as) the study of the
shaping and sharing of power and a political act (as) one performed in power perspectives”.
Robert A. Dahl defines political system as follows: “A political system is any pattern of human relationships that
involve, to a significant extent, however, rule or authority”.
Evolution
The term Political Science is intimately related to the word Politics, which itself derives from the Greek word ‘Polis’
meaning a city-state. To the Greeks the city was the state and the subject that deals with the city-state and its problems
was designated as politics. The Sophists in Athens were the first to deal with problems of city-state and then expounded
a political theory.
Later on Socrates (470-399B.C), Plato(428-347 B.C) and Aristotle (384-322B.C) continued to conduct the scientific
study of the various problems concerning the state and the government. Aristotle, the world famous Greek philosopher,
however excelled his teacher Plato and his teacher’s teacher – Socrates. Now Aristotle is regarded as the father of the
science of Politics in the west. However, Manu is considered to be the first political thinker in Indian subcontinent and
his first book Manusmriti is regarded as the first book of law in this part of the world. Later on, it was Chanakya who
formed and formulated Indian political thinking and gave it concrete form in the shape of a book named Kautilya’s
Arthasastra, well-known book of Indian Polity.
In the 4th century B.C Aristotle referred to politics as the “Queen of sciences”, but for many centuries thereafter it lost a
separate identity. Until perhaps the 19th century such intellectual work as was carried out on politics was by political
philosophers, theologians or journalists, but seldom by full-time professional political analysts.Gradually a separate
discipline emerged from the previous conglomeration of law, economics and philosophy, so that by the end of 19th
century most American and many German universities had professors and departments of politics or political science. It
is pertinent to mention here that the first professorship in the subject was in fact set up in Sweden in the 17th century.
Is Political Science a Science?
Whether Political Science is a really a science or not depends upon what we regard as the test of a science.
Does a science involve merely systematic reasoning, or must the reasoning be exact and the conclusions clearly defined
and subject to no exceptions as in the case of natural sciences?
Does the claim of Political Science to be science involve the power to predict the political future?
Natural scientists argue that political science cannot be a science because The variables in political science are not all subject to measurement.
 Unlike natural scientists, political scientists cannot set up experiments with what are apparently the
same ingredients, in the same conditions and produce the same results.
 Political scientists can never accurately predict.
Political Science is neither an exact science nor can it claim to predict the future with certainty. The results in the
physical sciences, like Physics and Chemistry, are definite and remain true under given conditions for all men and in
different climes. if there is any variation, it can be tested and explained. But it is not possible to place men in a
laboratory as if they were guinea pigs, nor is it possible to impose precise laboratory conditions on the political sphere in
real life.
Political science deals with men and it is a living subject matter which can be explained in terms of living human
activity. It cannot be expressed in fixed or static formulae. Man is dynamic and so must his institutions be. They must
adjust themselves with the changing demands of man and his manifold needs. No institution is today what it was
yesterday and what it will be tomorrow. It is the human element or the livingness of the subject which makes Political
Science inexact and indefinite.
Scope of Political Science
Political Science is, thus, an organized body of knowledge the facts of which have been scientifically and systematically
observed, collected and classified, and from these facts are formulated and proved a series of propositions or principles
which forms the basis of the science.
Study of State and Government. Since Political Science is the science of the State and the Government, it conducts the
scientific study of both the State and the Government. It deals with the nature and formation of the State and tries to
understand various forms and functions of the Government.
Study of Associations and Institutions. The scope of Political Science also includes the study of associations and
institutions. In this connection Dr. Garner has very aptly observed : “In organized way the fundamental problems of
Political Science include, first an investigation of the origin and nature of the State, second, an inquiry into nature,
history and forms of political institutions and third, deduction therefrom, so far as possible, of laws of political growth
and development”. There are many types of institutions in a society and the State an institution that stands supremecontrols all of them. This is why we study, in Political Science, these institutions along with the State.
Study of National and International Problems and the Political Study of Man. In ancient times Greece was divided into
small city-states and the affairs related to those city-states were known as politics. But now the meaning of the word
“politics” is not considered to be so narrow. These days Political Science is not limited to the city-states only but it deals
with the national and the international problems. Despite this it will not be wrong to say that the scope of Political
Science includes the political study of man also, otherwise the study of Political Science will remain incomplete.
Study of Past, Present and Future Development of State. Scope of Political Science is not restricted to the study of past
and present alone, but it directs the future course of development of the State. It gives timely suggestions with a view to
improving political institutions and modifying political activities so as to meet the new dimensions of the changing
world.
Study of the Concept of Power. With the behavioral revolution in politics, the central topic of the latest study in Political
Science has become the study of the power. Probably the best known definition of power is that of Max Weber(18641920) who characterized power as the chance of a man or a number of men to realize own will in a communal action
even against the resistance of others who are participating in the action.
Consequently, modern political scientists under the behavioral and systems approach have widened the scope of political
science to cover many more aspects like political socialization, political culture, political development and informal
structures like pressure groups etc.
Methods of Political Science
The methods of investigation employed in political science are:
 Observational Method
 Experimental Method
 Historical Method
 Comparative Method
 Statistical Method
 Philosophical Method
 Biological Method
 Psychological Method
 Juridical Method
 Sociological Method
Observational Method
This method is based on direct observation and reflection. It helps in arriving at certain political principle in the light of
observation made and information obtained. In the olden times Plato visited all the progressive countries right from Asia
to southern Italy. He closely studied the social, economic and political conditions of these countries and then could be
able to propound certain principles to Political Science. In modern times James Brice employed this method. He visited
the USA, Canada, France, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand, studied the people and their countries, clearly
observed the workings of their institutions and formed his own conclusions.
Experimental Method
Experiment is observation under conditions arranged by the investigator. We may not experiment in Political Science as
we do in a Physical Science, but practical experiments in political institutions are being constantly made, consciously or
unconsciously . Every government makes experiments when it adopts a policy or enacts a new law. Governmental
policy changes and laws are amended or repealed if their public utility is not abundantly proved. Dr. Garner rightly
affirms that “the enactment of every new law, the establishment of every new policy is experimental in the sense that it
is regarded merely as provisional or tentative until the results have proved its fitness to become permanent.
Historical Method
The present is the gift of the past. This is the reason why we seek help of history, when we study the origin, development
and the present nature of such political institution as the State and the Government. The historical method supplements
the experimental method. Montesquieu, Savigny, Seeley, Maine Freeman and Laski are some of the eminent exponents
of historical method. Sabine and other traditional writers attached great importance historical approach. “A political
theory” according to Sabine is always advanced in reference to a pretty specific situation”. It is therefore essential to
understand “the time, place and circumstances in which it was produced”.
Comparative Method
The comparative method which is closely related to historical method, attempts to discover general laws and
conclusions from the study of past or existing States by a process of selection , comparison and elimination. Greek
philosopher Aristotle(384-322B.C) is said to have studied as many as 158 constitutions and after analyzing and
comparing them, he arrived at certain definite conclusions. In modern times comparative method has been used by
Montesquieu, De Tocqueville, Bryce and many others. James Bryce compared the working of democracy in different
countries and then, accounted for its merits and defects as a form of government.
Statistical Method
The method which has recently become increasingly important and is being widely used in the study of political
phenomenon is the statistical method. It attempts to describe and measure in quantitative terms and is specially to the
study of political parties and public opinion. The statistical techniques extended to the study of comparative government
and international relations. In some Western countries “public opinion polls” or “Gallup polls” are held. If skillfully
framed and conducted, such polls have shown themselves, in UK and USA, to be capable of a high degree of accuracy.
Philosophical Method
In Political Science this method of investigation starts from some abstract original idea about human nature and draws
deduction from that idea as to the nature of the State, its aims, its functions and its future. Plato Rousseau, Hegel,
Bradley, Kant, and Sidgwick are prominent exponents of this method. When dealing with the question “what ought to
be” we have to depend on the philosophical method. Almost all political thinkers, who wished to organized an ideal
State, adopted this method.
Juridical Method
The juridical or legalistic method regards the State as a legal person or corporation, existing for the creation and
enforcement of law. It views political society as a collection of legal rights and obligations, and analyses the public law
relations of the State, but ignores many other extra-legal and social forces that underlie the constitution and laws of the
State and that influence human relations.
Psychological Method
The psychological method attempts to explain political phenomena through psychological laws, especially by studying
the motives of human behavior, the action of minds in groups and associations; and the methods of influencing public
opinion. It helps to explain the issues upon which political parties are based and from which international controversies
arise.
Sociological Method
This method regards the state as a social organism. Individuals are the component parts of the social organism. This
method seeks to deduce the quality and attributes of the state from the quality and attributes of men composing it. This
method is becoming very popular these days. The increasing popularity of this method has led to the birth of a new
subject known as Political Sociology.
Biological Method
The biological method draws an analogy between the State and a living organism, describes the structure and analyses
the functions of the State in terms of human anatomy and physiology, and interprets the development of the State
according to the theory of evolution. It results in interesting analogies, but must be used with great caution , since the
laws of growth and change which govern living organisms are not applicable to the State.
Importance of Studying Political Science in Bangladesh
Now-a-days we cannot think ourselves outside the State. The State is ever present in our everyday lives. As a citizen we
have specific roles and responsibilities towards the State. The State has also a duty to uphold the rights of the citizens.
By studying political science we come to know our rights and obligations in the State.
All modern States have grown in size and capacity in recent years. Most states have extended their roles and
responsibilities from primarily defense and law and order concerns to concerns about everyday economic management,
welfare services and the regulation of many aspects of social life. Studying Political Science helps us realize the
multifarious functions the State.
Political Science acquaints the learners with different forms of government and their relative merits and demerits. It also
shed light on the political systems and governments of other countries of the world thereby enabling the learners to
assess their own government and political system in the contemporary context.
Political knowledge provides the social glue that binds the citizens to his or her political system. Regimes of any kind do
not last for long without political support. Political support relies upon people recognizing the validity of their political
arguments. As one writer puts it: “Presidents are not respected , laws are not obeyed, taxes are not paid, political
stability does not prevail- unless people believes”.
Bangladesh began its journey as a newly independent nation after a war of liberation in 1971.Four decades have elapsed
since Bangladesh has achieved her independence. The culture of intolerance practices holds the nation hostage which is
making democratic process unworkable. A fully functioning democratic polity requires a politically literate citizenry. In
this context, studying Political Science has got special significance in Bangladesh.
Political Science in Bangladesh
The golden jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence will be observed in the year 2021. Government of Bangladesh (GoB)
has pledged to make Bangladesh a digital Bangladesh. It has also pledged to make this country as one of medium
income. GoB envisions a liberal, progressive and democratic welfare state as stated in the recently announced Vision
2021.
“...We envision a democratic system where people choose their government freely and get services from it without
hassle, enjoy freedom from fear and intolerance, live with dignity; where every citizen is assured of social justice,
environment protection, human rights and equal opportunities; and where the rule of law and good governance flourish.
We envision a liberal, progressive and democratic welfare state. ...”
.....Quoted from Vision 2021
Materialization of Vision 2021 requires congenial political climate. Confrontational politics is still a source of potential
instability and political uncertainty , which to some extent, adversely affects Bangladesh’s international reputation and
the investment climate. Parliamentary functions are not performed effectively. Bangladesh's development landscape
would be unrealistic without a transformation in our political culture. This is why political education on the part of
citizens is required.
Concluding Remarks
Defining the nature and scope of contemporary political science is a difficult undertaking. If we focus excessively on
recent theoretical and methodological issues we run the risk of devaluing the roots of the discipline and the need of
contemporary students to understand those roots. On the other hand, excessive emphasis on the formal institutions of
government, and on traditional political theory may lead us to ignore important contemporary developments. A selfconscious blend of these various approaches is likely to achieve a more richer and powerful understanding.