Fields Of Political Science

In the United States, political science is generally divided into six main fields: (1) political theory and philosophy, (2) comparative government, (3) international relations, (4) American government and politics, (5) public administration, and (6) political behavior.

Political theory and philosophy are usually dealt with historically. Most political scientists believe that the history of political thought forms the basis of all political studies. They consider the reading of great books on political theory and philosophy to be essential for a broad education in politics. The writers of these works include Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Saint Augustine, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, John Locke, Montesquieu, Immanuel Kant, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, and Karl Marx. The classic political and philosophical works help political scientists explore and understand many issues of empirical politics (politics based on experience). With this understanding, political scientists can establish generalizations based on verified facts. These generalizations concern such subjects as how power is won or lost and the problems of representative government.

Comparative government. An understanding of political reality may be achieved by comparing the political institutions and practices of two or more countries. Some scholars in comparative government specialize by studying the countries of a particular area of the world.

International relations include diplomacy, international law, and international organization. Since 1945, much emphasis has been placed on the study of the United Nations. Vital forces in the modern world, including imperialism and nationalism, are also important subjects of international relations. In addition, this field of political science deals with defense policies and with problems connected with peace and war. The effects of economic pressures on international relations are studied as well.

American government and politics is a field of political science only in the United States. In Canada, the study of Canadian government and politics would take its place. Political scientists generally give special attention to their own country's government. The U.S. government has a federal system. Study of the American government deals with national, state, and local government and politics. American political scientists have made notable progress in arriving at realistic understandings of Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court. They have also studied federal government agencies, large corporations, interest groups, the mass media, and other centers of economic and social power. Political scientists have gained important insight into how these groups influence national decision making.

Public administration is actually part of comparative government and of American government and politics. It is separated from those fields because of the range and complications of modern administrative activities. Public administration deals with such tasks of public officials as accounting, budgets, and personnel management. Public officials often work closely with political scientists who are experts in administration. These experts study the departments of the federal, state, and local governments. They analyze how the organization and internal politics of these departments aid or hinder putting political decisions and programs into effect.

Political behavior is the field that explores the way people respond to certain political conditions or influences. For example, the political scientist may take note of how many voters favor a candidate who looks good on television. Behavioral studies are a recent trend in political science. They have been influenced by developments in such behavioral sciences as anthropology, psychology, and sociology. Political scientists have developed ways to study certain key behavior patterns in politics. Studies have been made in communications, propaganda, voting behavior, and other activities.