Etymologically the term political science or politics has been derived from the Greek word

‘Polis’ which means the city state or the state. Hence, political science deals with the problems of
city or the state in which men lives. It is therefore, defined as the study of the activities of the
state.

Political Science is concerned with the theoretical explanation of political reality, namely
the phenomenon of the state. it attempts to discuss the forms of political organization and logical
justification of the state. Its studies the relationship between the state and the individual.

Political science is the study of politics and power from domestic,

international, and comparative perspectives. It entails understanding
political ideas, ideologies, institutions, policies, processes, and behavior, as
well as groups, classes, government, diplomacy, law, strategy, and war.

Political science focuses on the theory and practice of government and

politics at the local, state, national, and international levels. We are
dedicated to developing understandings of institutions, practices, and
relations that constitute public life and modes of inquiry that promote
citizenship.

Political science is the systematic study of governments, political

institutions, and public policies. It examines the processes by which
decisions are made, how power is distributed, and the impact of
government actions on society.20 Feb 2024
The Political Science found its first systematic exposition in the writings of Greek
philosophers. Plato (427 – 347 BC and Aristotle 384 – 322 BC) were the two early Greek
political philosophers who made far reaching and lasting contribution in the field of political
science. In his famous book, “Republic”, Plato justified moral significances of the state, its
organic unity and educational functions and above all its supremacy over the individuals.

The Greek were the first people who developed political Science in its pure and
systematic form. Subsequently it spread over all other countries and its study has assumed
greater importance in modern times.

Let we study the recognized definition of political science:

Laski, “The study of politics concerned itself with the life of man in relation to organized states.”

Harold Lasswell, “Politics is the science of who gets what, when and why.”
David Easton, “Political Science is concerned with the authoritative allocation of values in a
society.”

Bryee, “Politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantages.”

R.N. Gilchrist, ‘Political science as dealing “general problems of the state and government,” is
the most accepted definition on political science.

It also includes the study of constitution and law. But this definition
excludes other important issues covered under political science.

Stephen Leacock said that, “political Science dealing with government.” what are different forms
of Government? How a government is organized from the point of view of the welfare of the
society? Such were the question that political Science deliberated and discussed.

Hence, political is the study of past, present and future of political

institutions, political functions and political theories.
The study of state, government and human activities
Study of origin, development, nature, scope, political functions and
political theories.
There are many ways to define political science. Political science is
the study of state, government and human political activities.

Nature of Political Science

Political science is the field concerning the theory and practice of politics and the description and
analysis of political systems and political behavior.

Political science is a study about the state and the government. It makes an enquiry into the
origin of the state and political authority. In this sense, it also makes historical investigations
about the origin of the state.

Political science also studies the structure and functioning of the state government, inter – state
organization etc. In this sense, it is an analytical study of what the state is.

It also attempts to formulate principles of good governance or in other words it suggests what the
state ought to be.

The nature of political science enquires into what men and women actually do in a political
situation.

SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

 The scope of political science implies its jurisdiction or subject matter. Political science is
very wide and comprehensive subject. A conference of Political Scientists held under the
auspices of the International Political Science Association in Paris in the year 1948 demarcated
the scope of political science into four zones viz;

Political theory
Political Institutions
Political Dynamics
International relation
The political science has been referred to as a “master Science” by Aristotle. Since then,
this subject has a history of noble growth. Over these years, such concepts like sovereignty,
revolution, liberty, equality, democracy etc. have been vividly dealt with political science. So to
speak, political science primarily deals with in the state and government.

In the field of political science, values were considered by the traditionalists. The
traditionalists used such approaches as legal, institutional, historical to study the political
sciences which were all formalistic in nature. Their emphasis on values was refuted by the
behaviouralists led by David Easton.

The behaviouralists was followed by the post - behaviouralism which emphasized that
instead of indulging in value – fact dichotomy, attempts should be made to take balanced study
of facts and values in political science.

The scopes of political science are enumerated below;

1) A study of state and government: Political science primarily studies the problems of the
state and government. The state is defined as a group of people organized for law within
a definite territory. The state has four elements, such as Population, Territory,
Government and Sovereignty.

2) A study of Political theory: Political theory is a major branch of political science. On

the basis of the political ideas or thoughts of political thinkers, political theory formulates
definition or concepts like democracy, liberty, equality, grounds of political science. It
also explains the basic concepts of political science. It also includes the study of political
philosophy.

3) A study of political Institutions: The study of political institutions includes the study of
constitutional machinery. This covers a study of constitutions and comparative
government. Its deals with the nature of different political institutions including
government explain their merits and demerits, their structures and working and arrives at
different conclusions on comparative basis.
4) A study of Political Dynamics: the study of political dynamics has become significant in
the 21st century. It means the current forces at work in government and politics. Its covers
a wide range and include the study of political parties, public opinions, pressure groups.
A scientific study of the working of the political dynamics helps to explain the political
behavior of individuals and different groups.
5) A study of relation of the individuals with the state: The scope of political science also
includes a study of the nature of relationships between individuals and the state. It
examines how man should adjust himself with the society. Man is the root of politics.
The state guarantees certain rights and liberties to its citizens and at the same times
imposes certain reasonable restrictions on them. .

6) A study of International relation and International Law: The scope political science
includes a study of international relations which has become significant since the first
quarter of the 20th century. Its cover a wide range of subject and includes diplomacy,
international law, international Organizations like the UN etc.

Because of scientific inventions and discoveries, the cooperation and contacts

among different nations of the world have become easier and the whole world turns to be
a family.

7) A study of public policy: Political scientists like David Easton, Charles Lindblom and
Thomas [Link] hold the view that political science is a policy science. This concept of
Public policy is of recent origin. It is also a product of Post – behaviouralism. Its deals
with the implementation, execution and formulation of policy. In this process the formal
political groups play a vital role. Thus the scope of political science has been widened.

Therefore,political science, the systematic study of governance by the

application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis. As
traditionally defined and studied, political science examines the state and its
organs and institutions.