fYom different standpoints.

There are many apProaches formulated by different political thinkers

to the study of political science.
Traditional Approaches
The traditional approach is concerned with
large general
questions about the nature, organisations, and activities of the state.
+ also discusses the principles, and ideas which guide
political
anisationsand activities. It includes the study of politicalobligation,
ho richts, and duties of individuals, relations among
individuals,
relation of man with the state. Emphasis is put on laws, rules, and
regulations which determine the structure and processes of
governmental institutions.
Tillthe outbreak of the behavioural revolution after World War
I, the study of politics was mainly dominated by the traditional
approaches.
The traditional approach is mainly descriptive and normative.
The questions of value were debated. No distinction was made
between political and ethical questions. Political thinkers were
concerned with 'what should be' and 'what is an ideal state etc. The
traditional approach explains political institutions as the key agencies
of social control and social change. It explains everything on the basis
of knowledge and insights which are available from all fields of
human knowledge. It aims at the attainment of a good society.
The traditional approach can be divided into (1) philosophical,
(2) institutional, (3) historical, and (4) legal approaches.
 Political Theory Chapter 2
16

1. Philosophical Approach
The philosophical approach is the oldest approach to the study
of politics. The philosophical approach includes all the activities of
human beings. lt was concerned with general questions about the
nature of the state, the rights and duties of individuals, political
obligation, the nature of good society. It was encyclopaedic in its
study. Plato,Leo Strauss, Hobbes, Locke, Hegel, Rousseauare some
of the important exponents of this approach, In Plato's 'Republic,
Harrington's Oceana',Hobbes's' Leviathan', Butler's 'Erewhon' we
find this approach.
Ihey used the deductivemethod. This method starts with certain
self-evident general propositions and then confirms or denies any
tact. Philosophical approach proceeds from general to particular. It
starts with some abstract views of human nature i.e. a person's quest
security and draws concludes from that view about political
behaviour, justification of authority; forms of government; nature,
functions, and aim of the state.
The philosophical approach is criticised on various grounds.
(1) This approach ignores practical or factual solutions to different
problems and gives importance to the ideal and moral
grounds. Sometimes they conceive of an ideal divorced from
reality.
(ii) The writers of this approach have
supported a particular
system in their contemporary period. For example, John
considered the demands of the rising middle class as of Locke
right.
Hobbes supported monarchy during his time.
(iü) Exponents of this
approach sometimes expressed a very
simplified view of various concepts. Hobbes
social contract theory on the basis of the established his
of human nature.
Machiavelli viewed generalised concept
centered. All these concepts are not human beings as selt
(iv) Philosophical absolutely correct.
For this, the approach gives too much emphasis on ideals.
discussions
2. Historical Approach sometimes turn impractical.
It studies the
origin, growth, and
institutions examining past
by development
events through of political
what evidence is
Chapter2 Approaches to the study of Political Sciences 17
available. On the basis of such knowledge, it tries to explain what
politicalinstitutions were, how they came to be, what they have been,
be.
and are tending to
The historical approach is expounded by Ivor Jennings, Pollock,
Robert Mackenzie, Samuel Beer, IJ P Mackintosh.
Theydiscuss political institutions on the basis of historical records.
to
Itimplies that in understanding a political theory, it is necessary
understand clearly the time, place, and circumstances, in which it
was evolved.
The historical approach is inductive in nature. It is prevalent in
analysis
allages. This approach is very much necessary in the scientific
ofpolitical life.
This historical approach iscriticised on the following grounds.
may
(1) Due to changing situations some examples of the past
not be useful in modern times.
History does not deal with values, embedded in political life.
(2)
like rights, justice,
(3) It does not deal with an abstract concept
law, sovereignty, etc.
or wrong conclusions because of
(4) One may draw misleading
superficial resemblances.
investigator may be biased in an analysis of any political
(5) The may be made with personal
phenomenon. Investigatorsinfluences.
preferences and emotional
3. Legal Approach
approach is also known as the judicial approach. In
The legal
study of politics is connected with the study of
tis approach, the processes. The state creates legal
and
legal and judicial institutions and order of the country. So the law
nstitutions to maintain the law the jurisprudence only but
treated as the affairs of
and justice are not firmly believes that the law covers
approach
so the state. The legal action.
the entire behaviour of a man's political
18
Political Theory Chupter2

Jean Bodin, Thomas Hobbes, Hugo Grotius, Bentham, John

Austin are exponents of this approach.
The legal approach has been criticised on a few grounds.
explained on a
() Most of the actions of individuals cannot be
legal basis.
of considering every
(2) An analytical jurist commits the mistake
aspect of a political system to a juridical entity.
Institutional Approach
regarded as a structural
The institutional approach is also lay emphasis on the
approach. In this approach, political thinkers
like the state, government,
formal structure of a political institution
legislature, executive, judiciary, political party, etc. This approach
covers both the formal and informal institutions.
comparative study of
The institutional approach includes the countries. They make
the institutions of the advanced and developing
legislature, executive, and
acomparison of different forms of the
judiciary of different countries.
some
Walter Bagehot, Munro, Bryce, Fiver, Laski, Strong are
renowned exponents of the institutional approach.
The institutionalapproach has been criticised on a few grounds
It
(1) This approach is sometimes criticised as static and lifeless.
overlooks the fact that politics is an activity not a lifeless aspect
of the legal system.
(2) This approach tends to neglect political systems with less
formal apparatus. It is difficult to study underdeveloped and
backward societies that do not have analogous institutions or
political behaviour.
(3) Institutionalists ignore international politics as it lacks formal
institutions and is characterised by violence.
(4) They give less attention to theactivity of individuals within
and outside the formal governmental system.
(5) The institutional approach does not encompass all the aspects
of politics.
Chapter2 Approaches to the sludy of Political Sciences
Criticism of Traditional Approaches
The traditional approach has been criticised on various grounds.
(1) This approach is incomplete. This approach cannot explain
ways and means of the study of different phenomena of
modern political science. Many subjects like public opinion,
politicalculture, pressure groups, voting behaviour, etc. do
not fallunder this approach. That is why this approach is not
complete.
(2) This approach is not considered scientific. This approach
does not investigate different politicalaspects in a systematic
way. It does not give importance to different social and
economicforces which play a very important role in human
society. This approach carries on an institutional and
descriptivestudy of politics. Thae's why this approach is not
considered scientific.

(3) The study of the approach is based upon only institutions.

institutions.
Traditionalists confine their discussion only to
advanced
They have discussed only the institutions of
to the
countries. But they have not given importance
institutions of underdeveloped countries.
not give importance to the study of interdisciplinary
(4) It does of political
relations of social sciences. Toget the proper idea
the perspective of
science the study should be made from self-contained.
social science is
different social sciences. No
closely related and supplementary to each other. But
Each is interdisciplinary discussion.
traditional approaches avoid the
international institutions and
the discussion of
(5) It ignores within the national political
politics. Itconfines its study
ignores international institutions and politics.
institutions and
deal with individual or group behaviour.
(6) It does not the
Traditional approaches do not give importance to
individual as wellas group behaviour in the
explanation of confine their study only to
politics. Traditionalists
study of
institutions.
science
traditional approaches to the study of political
Ihough the grounds and in spite of the
ve been criticised on various
 whotheory.
2 in political
Chapter andof andignored.
organisa
tradi
continuing study
othersnecessity
historical,
political
contmporary the be
and in not of
judicial
philosophical,
still theinstitutions
classical can help
Strauss,
is realise science the
influence
influential administ
traditional admin
Leo political
of political
scientists
its Oakeshott, study
of
number the of
approach,
uphold roletheof legal,
political study
theof of local
a Michael, importance
are and studying theanalysis
Political
Theory this
There behavioural
defend on of appr istake
of discussionrole
shortcomings of the
days.
like The
to importance in and
continue
thinkers
modern
now
politics.
Even legal power
Still
20