Study of Politics as a Science - Essay Example

?IN WHAT SENSE, IF ANY, SHOULD THE STUDY OF POLITICS BE UNDERSTOOD AS A SCIENCE? Introduction Politics is the art of regulating the affairs of the state through proper channels, and the word is derived from a Greek word Polls which means a State or a city. This provides a strong indication of the role that both state and city play in politics, however, modern politics also has a strong nationwide and international component. Politics of any area involves the unification of various sectors in a way that is mutually beneficial; these sectors include political, religious, educational and corporate sectors. Each of these has their own distinct aims and objectives and are strengthened and weakened by different things. In part, politics looks at the way in which these varying needs are met and how the different factors are accommodated. History Politics has been studied since the 4th century B.C. From this time to the present day the topic has been examined in depth, with wide ranging debates and discussion. Greeks were the first one to understand and undertake some prominent changes in the ruling bodies to bring democracy. To implement it efficiently Greeks took politics as a subject to be studied with more rational and systematic approach. Aristotle was the first Greek to introduce the concept of developing a state or a city by uniting small villages together and defined a boundary for particular regulations. He believed in bringing collective and collaborative change through democratic politics. In modern times the discussion of politics consists of many different things. At its heart, politics looks at the way in which the government and governing bodies determine laws as well as how these laws are enforced. There are many different factors that can influence the way in which laws are made. These are examined throughout politics and political study. Some such factors include the effect of religion (Lenski, 1963), race (Gilens, 2000) and gender (Mohanty and Russo, 1991). One question is whether the study of politics can be considered a science. Science can be defined as a systematic study of either a natural or physical phenomena. Science supports and explains the natural phenomenon or natural reaction of a human being to every day issues and the purpose of science are to shape structures which can be useful for real life consequences. It is divided into two kinds, Social Science and Natural Science, however these two main branches can be sub divided into different subjects. Political science is often considered to be a sub division of Social Science. It is the study of government, state, politics and laws to enforce discipline, system and power among all classes and people living within a boundary. Political Science interlinks with other subjects like sociology, psychology, international relations etc which can clearly tell that political science is a vast subject to study with proper guidelines. It gives a complete methodology of practicing political theories democratically with positivity, rationality and defines structuralism and institutionalism (Crotty, 1991). All these theories and depth cannot be observed without a thorough study over a subject. In short, Political Science cannot be kept restricted to specific issues happening in a state or a city but it is a complete solution and should be rightfully used in context of historical, social and cultural matters in our everyday life. Politics Politics is not just the study but a process of making collective and collaborative efforts or decisions to run state affairs effectively and successfully. It is a chain process of building relationships to gain power or authority. In this era, where reactions are more discernible and immediate actions cannot be taken, those in authority should be literate enough to deal with the affairs strategically and resolve them in a peaceful manner. Sensitive issues often have large implications, with judgments and laws affecting millions of lives in either positive or negative ways. This process known as politics should be studied deeply to unfold the thought process and to prepare an individual to confront major issues intelligently. Therefore politics is a versatile subject which enlightens many different aspects and overlapped topics which includes administration, conflicts, authority and power, leadership and decision making. All these aspects are taught as how, when, where and on what basis should be resolved either on national or international platform (Clovis Juarez Kemmerich, 2006). Politics is not only subject to government and politicians but melds them and other factors to produce a successful nation or a state. The study of politics incorporates broad skills and help a person understand the following: Reasoning or Logical Spectrum: Enables a person to implement intellectual schema or impose laws to control or interpret the given statistical or analytical data. A Philosophical Capacity: Enables a person to inter relate issues and to find best possible solutions with different combinations of strategic policies. The overcome tough situations with strong decision making skills and quick response to different capacities. Emotional Detachment from all critical situations or perceptions: Enables a person to keep all emotional gestures or feelings aside while dealing with a national or international issue. It prepares a person to analyze or interpret the cause and effects of a condition and act accordingly. Is Politics the Study of Power Political Science is the study of Politics and it has convinced man that the study of politics without power or authority is like empty vessels with useless structure. Running governmental affairs is not possible if there is no gain in power or authority therefore politics is a study which explains the social relationships based on power and authority. Politics is outlined with an art of being flexible, an authoritative exercises and pursuing with power and sometimes have indirect deceptions. Harold Lasswell (1936), an American Political Scientist explains that power is the essence of politics and that authority is a kind of power. However, true power consists of the ability to make other people follow. Thus, power is the ability to get what is wanted regardless of opposition. Many theorists such as Thomas Hobbes have said that power can be destructive and it takes to mortality if not taken care of its use. As a consequence, when examining politics, it is important to take into account the flow of power and authority as this can explain the reason for many decisions. Political Philosophy As examined earlier in the paper, politics is not just the study of state or a government; it includes almost every subject from sciences to humanities. Political science is sub divided into three disciplines among which political philosophy comes first. Political Philosophy is based on the study of law, justice, liberty etc. It can be narrowed according to the perceptions of ontology, epistemology and axiology (Hampton, Jean 1997). Ontology Ontology is a philosophical understanding of reality and existence. It deals with the question of categorizing entities that originally exists or entities that are said to exist. Ontology is based on a question which looks simple but can be hard to answer with every next entity. Societies have been formed centuries ago and it is undeniable that they exist; as far as politics is concerned it is also a reality based on a study of a society and its issues (Martin Heidegger, 1999). Epistemology Epistemology is an extension to Ontology. In simple words when an entity’s existence is confirmed through all ifs and buts then epistemology begins to explore. Epistemology deals with “how and what”. For example, when a disease is diagnosed, ontology stops and epistemology starts with how it began, why it happened and what are reasons behind it. Likewise when politics and societies got their assurance of existence, epistemology is the next step, and what the ways of implementing or adapting it are (Michael Huemer, 2002). Political and Social principals are not divine rules that have to be followed as directed. When democratic politics was practiced in Greece for the first time, rules were set according to that time, culture, needs and language. Centuries have passed and rules and political views have changed with the passage of time and new rules were set to make it work best. There is always a room for reforms and politics cannot be studied without passion for improvement. The most prominent and successful example is laid by Dr. Mahathir bin Muhammad, who transformed Malaysia into a beautiful tourist destination with his vision and passion to give an identity to Malaysians. He made reforms and introduced strategies to pull Malaysians from hunger and illiteracy. Political science tells us the theory of politics, and provides knowledge of how to deal with it and introduces terminologies of the subject. While political reality cannot be fixed with a theory, it differs from time to time and takes different course with different statistical data’s. A literate politician always uses his knowledge and past experiences to judge the current situation and approach for peaceful ways to solve issues. Anthony Quinton explained that Political rules and Philosophical principals are two different things which cannot be merged. Many contemporary philosophers condemn that there is no logical connection between these two, principals and philosophy can vary from person to person but politics and its principals cannot be changed every now and then. Analytical philosophy itself denies the relevance between politics and philosophy. It is very obvious and can be easily seen nowadays that every next ruler has his own philosophy to rule but he has to look into political matters and review its principals before taking any measures (Watkins, 1957). Is Politics a Science Researchers have worked hard to draw a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques to solve different political and social issues. Some of these techniques are “social network analysis” and “agent based modeling”. All methodologies cannot work together or simultaneously but can be effective when applied at the right point in time (Goodman, 1983). The above discussion details different theories and practices that are associated with politics and the examination of politics. The presence of such a comprehensive vocabulary, theories and directions indicates that politics is indeed a science. The political environment can be likened to a biological system, with different drivers and factors that affect outcomes. Likewise, these drivers and the system as a whole can be studied and analyzed in the same way that a physical system can. Conclusion The world can be considered to be a global village, as technology has increased the level of contact between people. Political Science is a subject which covers almost every phase of life. It helps people build interactions with the outer world and cooperates to help people work with different cultures and languages. Studying it as a subject and implementing it on practical lives provides a great deal of information and skill sets to improve behavioral issues towards changing world and its politics. It is helpful to promote democracy and vote for the deserving candidate which is only possible when we carry enough knowledge of politics to foresee the demands of the upcoming challenges. The scope of politics has the potential to effectively change the course of civilizations and convince humans to go in the right direction. Indeed humans are a social and political animal. References William Crotty, William J. Crotty (1991), “Political Science: Political Behavior”, Volume 3, Northwestern University Press. Gilens, M. 2000. Why Americans Hate Welfare: Race, Media, and the Politics of Antipoverty Policy, University of Chicago Press, Goodman, N. 1983. “Fact, Fiction & Forecast”, 4 th edition. Mass, Harvard University Press. Hampton, J. 1997, "Responding to conflict with dialogue,” Patriotic Elaborations: Essays in Practical Philosophy, Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2009.  Martin Heidegger (1999), “Ontology: the hermeneutics of facticity”, Pg. 61, Indiana University Press.  Michael Huemer (2002), “Epistemology: contemporary readings”, pg no. 1-5, Routledge. Peacocke, C. 1983. Sense and Content: Experience, Thought and their Relations. Oxford: Clarendon Press. Ch.4. Kemmerich, C. J., 2006, “A Theory of Knowledge on the Social Science Research Network” Lenski, G. E. 1963. The Religious Factor: A Sociological Study of Religion's Impact on Politics, Economics, and Family Life, Doubleday Garden City, NJ, Mohanty, C. T. & Russo, A. 1991. Third World Women and the Politics of Feminism, Indiana Univ Pr, Read More