TEHREEM MUNEEBA
BL-1834
LLB-II/C
Q1: METHODS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE:
The study of politics begins with looking for facts and the collection of data followed by the
analysis of the information that was collected. Methods are the means of collecting data and
analysing it. To avoid conceptual ambiguities and confusions, it is necessary to approach the
data critically which filters irrelevant or false information.
Among a plethora of sources of information, a political scientist relies on various disciplines to
conduct a study. These methods could be used in isolation or as a mix of one or more than one
methods. The various methods that are used can be divided under the following categories:
1. Speculative or Philosophical methods: Deductive Method;
2. Logical Methods: Analytical or Inductive-Deductive methods;
3. Practical Methods: Observational, Experimental Methods;
4. Disciplinary Method: Historical, Psychological, Sociological, Juridical, Economic,
5. Statistical Methods: Quantitative-Qualitative Methods;
6. Scientific Methods
Philosophical or Deductive Method:
This is one of the oldest methods for studying politics, still followed by all political thinkers who
are more interested in what a State must be rather than what it actually is. It's notable users
include Plato, Aristotle St. Thomas Aquinas, Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke,
Jean Jacques Rousseau, Edmund Burke, Jeremy Bentham, GW. F. Hegel, Karl Marx, and John
Swan Mill.
The deductive method implies reasoning from or developing particular conclusions from many
general principles or propositions that are admitted or assumed to be true.
The philosophical or a prior method is reasoning from cause to effect, from a general principle to
its consequences. In Political Science, this method of investigation starts from some abstract
original idea about human nature. It draws deduction from that idea as to the nature of the
State, its aims, its fractions, and its future. It then attempts to harmonize its theories with the
facts of history.
Philosophical method is more useful for political philosophy rather than for Political Science.
Logical Methods:
Logical methods employ Analytical or Inductive-Deductive methods. Analytical method divides
something into its component parts and finds out relations between them to understand the
whole. For example, a government is divided into three organs, legislature, executive and
judiciary and their relations are studied. The aim behind the analysis of parts is to know how
they fit together to make the whole.
Inductive-deductive methods are the methods of logic. Deductive methods are exercised in
philosophical thought, whereas the inductive method is the foundation of all scientific enquiry.
These two methods are mutually interdependent.
Induction means data collection and its generalisation for drawing inferences which either
becomes a principle or a law. Deduction is to draw conclusions from a principle or a law.
Inductive method is empirical and logical, as compared to deductive method which is purely
logical. Inductive methods are used when truth is to be established by observing reality vs
deductive methods that are primarily concerned with the implications of given a premises.
Political scientists use both of these methods in the observation and study of politics and state
and its various
institutions.
Observational Methods:
This method is all about direct observation and reflection. Political science develops through
observation which is laborious and far more open to error than an experiment. For Political
Science, the observational method is a true method of investigation. An American writer, Lowell,
once
said that "Politics is an observational and not an experimental science.”
Historical Method:
When observation and comparison are undertaken about the past, this becomes Historical
Method. It complements the Experimental Method, as history is nothing but an experiment
made in past. Historical Method combines the advantages of three methods:
1. Observation,
2. Comparison and
3. Experimentation or experience.
Prof. Gilchrist remarks,"The source of experiments of Political Science is history; they rest
on observations and experience. Every change in the form of government, every law,
every war in the past is an experiment in Political Science."
Scientific Method:
Scientific Method is both an attitude and a procedure. As an attitude, scientific
methods consist of persistent search for the truth while constantly asking: Is it so? To what
extent is it so? Why is it so? What conditions or considerations determine it to be so? In
essence, "Scientific method is simply the pursuit of truth so determined by logical
considerations."
Methods are to be judged depending upon the reliability of their results, and whether their
successful replication is possible.
Q2: SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE:
The scope of Political Science includes:
1. A study of the State and Government
2. A Study of Political Theory
3. A Study of Political Institutions
4. A study of Political Dynamics
5. A Study of Adjustment of the Individual with the State
6. A study of International Relations and international law
A study of the State and Government:
Political Science studies problems of States and Governments. A State is a combination of four
characteristics:
1. Population,
2. Territory,
3. Government and
4. Sovereignty.
Government is an agent of State. Political Science studies State activities identifies the aims
and objectives of them both.
A Study of Political Theory:
Study of political theory is the steppingstone in Political Science. Political theory produces
concepts like democracy, liberty, equality etc. It explains the rudementary concepts of political
science on the basis of political ideas/thoughts of political thinkers.
A Study of Political Institutions:
Political Science studies of constitutions and comparative governments while explaining their
merits and demerits, their structure & functions and arrives at conclusions on a comparative
basis.
The study of public administration and local government are a part of this area. These
institutions act like a backbone in a Government structure and hence they are studied along with
the State.
A study of Political Dynamics:
Political dynamics consider the influence of various forces that are present and affect a
government's policy, such as political parties, public opinion, pressure groups, lobbies, etc.
Studying these forces helps in explaining the political behaviour of individuals and different
groups. The study in this field is often done in association with other similar social sciences like
sociology, anthropology and psychology.
A Study of Adjustment of the Individual with the State:
Political Science studies the nature of the relationship that exists between an individual and the
State. People are at the root of politics and political science studies the phenomenon of
coexistence i.e. people with system. How people coexist with other people and abide by the
system, is an important aspect of Political Science.
A study of International Relations and international law:
Since the first quarter of the 20th century, political science's focus has been on international
relations and laws as well. It covers a wide range of subdisciplines that include diplomacy,
international politics, international law, international organizations (like the United Nations) and
more. The States are the subjects of international law and International law has assumed
greater importance in recent times.
Q3: POLITICAL SCIENCE IS A SCIENCE:
Aristotle said,
"Political science is the master science."
Political Science is an ancient social science that has evolved throughout the years. From mere
observational methods to data collection and analysis with the help of various scientific methods
and generating inferences - Political Science is a systematic, though empirical, a science by all
means. Political Science discusses the rationale behind the formulation of foreign & local policy,
administration structure, the system of governance by comparative analysis, analysis of the
history of the State, political activities, political behavior and associated constitution and laws.
It's a dynamic science whose main purpose is to make a systematic review of the social &
political lives of the people. Political scientists derive all their material from the way of life of the
socialized people which is why it is always changing. As Bryce says,
“Political Science is a Progressive Science”.
Political scientists approach their study objectively, rationally, and in a systematic manner. Some
political scientists focus on abstract and theoretical questions, while others examine particular
government policies and their subsequent effects.
Modern political science can be divided into three subcategories of:
1. Comparative politics,
2. International relations,
3. and Political theory.
Other notable subcategories are:
1. Public policy and Administration,
2. Domestic politics and Government,
3. Political economy, and
4. Political methodology.
Political science draws upon the disciplines of Economics, Law, Sociology, History, Philosophy,
Human Geography, Political Anthropology, and Psychology.
Political science utilises diverse methodologies that originate in psychology, social research, and
political philosophy. The various approaches under use include positivism, interpretivism,
rational choice theory, behaviouralism, structuralism, post-structuralism, realism, institutionalism,
and pluralism.
For data collection intended for analysis, Political science relies on primary sources, such as
historical documents and official records, secondary sources, such as scholarly journal articles,
survey research, statistical analysis, case studies, experimental research, and model building.
For example, the recent Punjab by-elections are an example of witnessing political science
methodologies at work.
Case under study: PTI (Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf - currently, Pakistan's largest political
party)
A strategy was developed by keeping in view the past trends of voting in Punjab and
documenting who won in which area and why. Number of active voters and nonvoters was
obtained through relevant surveys and then these people were encouraged by Imran Khan
through nonstop rallies till the day of the election.
History of Punjab was critical in selecting the candidates and relevant promises were made to
move people. Imran Khan reminded people of the corrupt and substandard practices of the
representatives who have reigned long and invited people to choose change by exercising their
right to vote.
During this campaign, constant polls were held to gauge PTI's popularity among people and
further strategies were designed on public's approval ratings. The study of Punjab's political
setup together with valuable history lessons and careful data collection followed by extensive
analysis resulted in a historic victory of PTI versus the age-old PML-N.
This is a stark example of how Political Science can assist in bringing the changes that are
necessary through a thorough understanding of the past, present and aspirations of a State and
it's people.
Q4: POLITICAL SCIENCE's IMPORTANCE w.r.t. PAKISTAN:
Political science is a study of governments, public policies, and political behavior. It is a social
science that explores humanistic perspectives and scientific skills to examine all countries and
regions of the world. Studying political science in Pakistan enables a person to understand the
system of governance in force and its functions. It also provides deep knowledge of public
administration, political theory and philosophy that can also help a person in carving a career in
government and to make a rational choice as a voter.
Since it's inception Pakistan has been subjected to turmoil. With a history of initial three
decades of dictatorship that followed three decades of failed leadership based on corruption;
Pakistan's past is essential in predicting Pakistan's future. Political science studies a State's
past to understand its aspirations and failures, which is why the study of political science
becomes even more important in the case of Pakistan.
To understand Pakistan's current trade deficit, political coalitions, the political-parties' oligopoly
and overall instability of the system that has led to a gigantic economic crisis; Pakistan's history
has to be studied through the lens of political science which uses empirical, observational and
deductive approaches for the prediction of future conditions.
Today almost all leading political parties are headed by their third generation of leaders who led
Pakistan decades ago as well. These new leaders continue to act according to their
predecessor's political ideologies which may or may not have aligned with the interest of
Pakistan.
For example, the famous movement of PNA (1977) and the nine political parties that joined
hands against Bhutto are represented in the form of PDM in 2022. The mode of operation
reflects exactly that of PNA decades ago: one coalition of parties against one man.
But the Pakistan of 2022 has [Link] is now what Imran Khan calls it: Naya Pakistan.
Political science helps in understanding the gradient of change that a State has seen. Political
science considers change in the way the people of a State respond to political events and
highlights the pressure points of a nation; the matters that concern a nation and are very close
to its heart.
For instance, the pro-army hype that was created by the armed forces through ISPR during all
these years, it has trained the people of Pakistan to support the armed forces unconditionally.
For a person with no insight of Pakistan's political background, this fed-hype is his reality as
compared to a person who is well-versed with the history of Pakistan and Pakistan's
governance systems and various applicable laws, who is able to see an underlying pattern that
has not changed so far.
In a third world country like Pakistan, knowledge of the system of governance and applicable
laws is very important for survival and safety. A person who is aware of his rights that are
guaranteed by the constitution of Pakistan will be safer as compared to a person who is
oblivious to his rights and can be conned by any person, any time. It is the study of political
signs that explains, in the light of the aspirations of people, how a constitution or any other law
was proposed and adopted subsequently.
Election is one of the most controversial political events within Pakistan's territory and this has
been so ever since the Fatima Jinnah's Election-times. Dirty tricks to rigg the results and use of
force and bribe have just increased with the passage of time. In order to make a rational choice
among the options, a person has to have an insight of the Pakistani political system, applicable
laws with its loopholes, and the roots of current political parties.
Studying political science in Pakistan is an essential element in becoming an effective citizen for
those who believe in change for the better.