Methods of Studying Political Science

Introduction

• There is no unanimity about the way politics should be studied.
• Over the years opinions on this have varied.
• For a long time politics was considered as coming within the scope of Philosophy, History or Law.
• However, in the late 19th century, there took place a shift in this view.
• An attempt was initiated to make the study of politics scientific.
• The philosophical tradition of politics gradually yielded to the scientific tradition of politics.
• Emphasis was shifted from political norms and values to political behaviour.
• Since late 19th century, behaviouralism has dominated the study of politics.

However, of late, emphasis on values in the study of politics has been revived. 

• It is now realized that while scientific method is useful for studying politics, the study of politics would be directionless and meaningless if it does not aim at realizing some values.
• This renewed emphasis on norms and values in studying politics has given birth to 'post-behaviouralism'.

Methods 

There are a number of methods for studying politics.

• Historical Method 
• Observational Method 
• Experimental Method 
• Behavioural Method 
• Philosophical Method 
• Sociological Method

Historical Method 

• Exponents include; Freeman, Aristotle, Leacock, Seely etc 
• Seely: “History without Political Science has no fruit and Political Science without History has no root” 
• They are 02 legs of the same body. 
• Therefore, History forms the very foundation for the study of Political Science.

Observational Method 

• First adopted by Plato and Aristotle. 
• Plato visited large number of countries, studied their social, economic and political conditions and then propounded certain principles of political science. 
• It gives most realistic conclusions.

Experimental Method 

• Gilchrist: “Every change in the government, every change in law, every change in policies, every war etc are experiments in political science” 
• The world itself is the laboratory. 
• Example: US Post-independence 13 colonies confederation (loose association) failed but next experiment with 50 states federation (tight association) still continues as world Super Power.

Behavioural Method 

• In 1950s and 1960s the study of politics assumed a new form called "behaviouralism" or "behavioural persuasion in politics". 
• This doctrine, made the theoretical development of the scientific tradition of the study of politics. 
• It is a protest movement against the traditional methods. 
• It studies behaviour of political stakeholders via observation, data collection, interview, research etc.
• It made Political Science more scientific.

Summary

• In 1970 a group of scholars argued that "behaviouralism narrowed down the scope of Political Science and undermined its quality by ignoring the value or values and norms in the study of politics.
• They stood for going back to political values and norms without discarding the scientific method of collecting and processing data. 
• This new phase in the study of politics has been known as post-behaviouralism. 
• The writings of John Rawls and Robert Nozick reflect this trend.