Connecting Sociology To Political Science
Groups and Voting Behavior
Political Science is a social science that dates back to ancient China and India as well as to the
medieval Muslim world. Contemporary political science developed
in the nineteenth century when the expansion of the social
sciences grew to include new branches. The term ideology was
introduced by French sociologist Henri de Saint-Simon in the early
twentieth century. In fact, Saint-Simon worked closely with
Auguste Comte, whom many view as the father of sociology.
Specifically, political scientists study the political struggles,
attitudes, and behaviors among different groups, such as voters,
interest groups, and even nation states. Political scientists may use
the scientific method to do their research and to build their
arguments. For example, they may want to research how a specialinterest group uses a strategy such as lobbying to influence public
policy.
To better understand how political scientists work, let’s examine
what they have found about the influence of different groups on voting. On an election day,
U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age can go to a designated area for voting. Outside
that voting area, voters may encounter members of special- interest group or political
campaigns who try to influence their preference for a candidate, party, or issue. Inside, the
voting booth is private, and a voter casts or submits his or her ballot seemingly alone. Political
scientists, however, have learned that the voter’s behavior is most commonly influenced by the
voter’s family members, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
1. How was the early development of political science connected to sociology?
2. What evidence do you think political scientists have used to support the conclusion that
family members influence voting behavior of other family members?