POLITICAL SCIENCE

UNIT 1 – An introduction to politics

1. Political Science – Definition, nature and scope.

DEFINITION:
- Political science is the study of politics, power, and government. It explains how societies are
governed, how leaders are chosen, how laws are made, and how people take part in decision –
making. In simple terms, it studies the relationship between the state (the country and its
institutions) and the citizens (the people).
o The word “Politics” comes from the Greek word “Polis”, which means city-state. The
ancient Greeks used it to describe the affairs of the community.
o The word “Science” means systematic knowledge based on facts. So, political science
means the systematic study of political life.

2. Different Thinkers’ definitions (in simple words)

 Aristotle (Father of political science): “Political science is the study of the
state.”
 David Easton: Politics is about authoritative allocation of values (distribution of
resources like money, power, rights.)
 Garner: Political science is the study of the state and government.

3. Key points in the definition.

 It studies the state and the government
 It studies power and authority – who gets power, how they use it, and for whom.
 It studies laws and politics – how they are made and enforced.
 It studies the role of the citizens – elections, voting, public opinion and protests.
 It studies both national politics (within a country) and international politics (relations
between countries).

EXAMPLE:
 When India passed a new law (like women’s reservation bill),
political science studies:
o Why it was passed (political demand)
o How it was passed (parliamentary process)
 o What effect it has (more women in politics)

IN SHORT:
Political Science = Study of state, government, power, and people’s role in
politics, both inside a country and between countries.

NATURE AND SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE.

1. Nature of political science.

- The nature of political science tells us what kind of subject it is and
how it studies politics. Political science is not just about memorizing
facts; it studies values, real situations, connections with other
subjects, and changes in society over time.

 NORMATIVE NATURE (What should be)

o Political science was originally more philosophical.
o It studies values and ideals such as justice, liberty, equality and
rights
o Focuses on questions like: what is the best government? What
is justice? How should power be used?
EXAMPLE: Gandhi’s idea of non-violence or Plato’s idea of the
philosopher king.

 EMPIRICAL NATURE (What actually is)

o Modern political science focuses on facts and real-life politics
o Observes how politics actually works rather than only what is
ideal.
EXAMPLE: Instead of asking “What is the best type of democracy”,
political scientists study how people vote in Indian elections or why
certain policies succeed or fail.
  INTERDISCIPLINARY NATURE
- Political science is linked to other disciplines
o Law – how laws are made and interpreted
o Economics – budgets, trade, taxation, and economic policies
o Sociology – caste, class, religion, and gender affect political
behavior
o History – past events shape political systems and policies
o Philosophy – ideas of justice, equality, liberty, and rights guide
politics
EXAMPLE: Studying reservation policies requires understanding society
(sociology), law, and politics together.

 DYNAMIC NATURE
o Political science changes as society changes
o Old topics: kings, monarchies, feudal systems
o Modern topics: democracy, globalization, human rights,
feminism, environmental politics
EXAMPLE: Earlier, the study of politics focused on kings; today it
includes social movements like #MeToo or climate activism.

IN SHORT: Political Science is normative (values), empirical (facts),

interdisciplinary (connected to other subjects), and dynamic (changes with
society)
_______________________

SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

- The scope tells us what areas Political Science studies or what it
covers. It is broad because politics touches almost every part of
society.
  Study of the State and Government
o The state is the central subject of Political Science.
o Studies how states are formed, their purpose, and the type of
government.
Example: Comparing India’s democracy with North Korea’s dictatorship.

 Study of Political Institutions

o Institutions are the organs of the state like legislature,
executive, judiciary, bureaucracy, political parties, election
commissions.
o Political Science studies their functions, powers, and role.
Example: How the Indian Parliament passes laws or how the Supreme
Court protects fundamental rights.

 Study of Political Processes

o Focuses on elections, voting behavior, public opinion, political
parties, pressure groups, and social movements.
Example: Farmers’ protest in India, or media influence on elections.

 Study of Political Theories and Ideologies

o Studies ideas like justice, liberty, equality, sovereignty,
democracy.
o Also studies ideologies such as liberalism, socialism,
Marxism, and feminism.
Example: The idea of equality led to the abolition of untouchability in
India.
  Study of International Politics and Relations
o Looks at how states interact, including diplomacy, war and
peace, international law, global organizations like UN and
WTO.
Example: Russia–Ukraine war, role of the United Nations in
peacekeeping.

 Study of Public Policy and Administration

o Studies how government policies are made and implemented.
o Focuses on bureaucracy, governance, and development
policies.
Example: MNREGA or Digital India scheme.

IN SHORT:
The nature explains what kind of subject Political Science is (values +
facts + interdisciplinary + dynamic).
The scope explains what it studies: state, government, institutions,
processes, theories, international politics, and public policy.
 APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICS
- Political science can be studies in different ways, depending on
whether we focus on ideas, history, institutions, or people’s
behavior. These are called Approaches to the study of Politics.

1. TRADITIONAL APPROACH
- These were the earlier way political science was studied. \
- In traditional approach, there are 3 types of approaches.
 Historical Approach
 Philosophical Approach
 Institutional Approach

1. HISTORICAL APPROACH.
- Historical approach studies politics by looking at events, practices, and
institutions of the past. It believes that to understand politics today, we
must know how it developed over time. This approach focuses on the
origin and the evolution of political systems, governments, and ideas. By
studying history, political scientists can learn why certain political
institutions exist, how political ideas spread, and why some systems
succeed while others fail. For example, India’s democracy cannot be fully
understood without knowing its freedom struggle, the colonial period, and
the formation of constitution in 1950. Similarly, studying the French
revolution helps us understand ideas like liberty, equality, and popular
sovereignty. In short, the historical approach connects the present with the
past, showing how political systems, government, and ideas have evolved.

 KEY POINTS – HISTORICAL APPROACH

o Studies politics through past events, practices, and institutions
o Focuses on origin and evolution of political systems and governments
o Helps us understand why political institutions exist and how they developed
o Shows failures and successes of political systems over time.

EXAMPLE: India’s democracy studied through freedom struggle, colonial

period and constitution; French Revolution explains liberty and equality.
2. PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH
- The Philosophical Approach studies politics by focusing on ideas,
values, and principles rather than only facts or events. It asks questions
like What is justice? What is the best government? How should power be
used? This approach is concerned with norms, ethics, and ideals in
politics. Political scientists using this approach analyze concepts such as
liberty, equality, rights, and democracy to understand how governments
should function. For example, Plato’s idea of the philosopher king
emphasizes that wise and just rulers are best for society. Gandhi’s
philosophy of non-violence and truth shows how moral principles can
guide political action. In short, the philosophical approach focuses on the
values and ideals behind political decisions, helping us understand not just
how politics works, but how it should work.

 Key Points – Philosophical Approach

o Focuses on ideas, values, and principles in politics.
o Concerned with ethics, justice, liberty, equality, and rights.
o Answers questions like What is the best government? How should rulers act?
o Helps understand how politics should function, not just how it does
o Important for political theory and ideology.

EXAMPLES: Plato’s philosopher king; Gandhi’s non-violence guiding

political action

3. INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH
- The Institutional Approach studies politics by focusing on political
institutions and their structure, powers, and functions. Political institutions
are the organizations through which the state exercises authority and
implements policies, such as the legislature, executive, judiciary,
bureaucracy, and political parties. This approach emphasizes
understanding how these institutions work, how they interact, and how
they maintain law and order in society. For example, studying the Indian
Parliament helps us understand how laws are made, while analyzing the
judiciary shows how citizens’ rights are protected. The approach is more
formal and structural, giving importance to the rules, procedures, and
organization of government rather than individuals or ideas. In short, the
Institutional Approach explains the mechanics of political systems and
how institutions function to maintain governance.

 Key Points – Institutional Approach

o Focuses on political institutions like legislature, executive, judiciary, bureaucracy,
and parties.
o Studies their structure, powers, functions, and interactions.
o Emphasizes formal rules and procedures of governance.
o Helps understand how laws are made and enforced.
o Explains the mechanics of political systems rather than individual behavior or ideas.

EXAMPLE: Indian Parliament (law-making), Supreme Court (rights

protection).

2. MODERN APPROACHES.
- The Modern Approaches to political science developed in the 20th
century when scholars wanted to study politics in a more scientific and
objective way. Unlike the traditional approaches, which focused on
history, ideas, or institutions, modern approaches focus on real-life
political behavior, interactions, and social factors. They use data, surveys,
and research methods to understand how politics actually works in society.
Modern approaches are more dynamic and analytical, helping political
scientists study contemporary issues like elections, public opinion, class
conflicts, and policy-making.

- Key Idea: Modern approaches try to explain politics as it happens,

not just what should happen or how institutions are structured.
EXAMPLES: Studying why people vote the way they do (Behavioral),
how governments respond to demands (Systems), or how class and
economic factors influence political power (Marxist).
- In Modern Approach, there are 3 types of approaches.
 Behavioral Approach
 Systems Approach
 Marxist Approach

1. BEHAVIORAL APPROACH
- The Behavioral Approach focuses on the behavior of individuals and
groups in politics rather than just institutions or laws. It studies how people
participate in politics, form opinions, vote, and interact with political
parties or movements. This approach uses scientific methods and data to
understand political behavior. For example, political scientists may study
why certain communities vote for a particular party in India, how youth
engage in elections, or why some citizens join protests. The main idea is
that understanding the actions, attitudes, and decisions of people helps
explain how politics actually works in society.

 Key Points – Behavioral Approach

o Focuses on individuals and groups’ behavior in politics.
o Studies voting patterns, public opinion, political participation, and leadership.
o Uses scientific methods and data for analysis.
o Helps understand politics as a social behavior.

EXAMPLE: Analyzing why youth vote less in Indian elections or why a

certain caste supports a political party.

2. SYSTEMS APPROACH
- The Systems Approach views politics as a system with inputs and
outputs. In this approach, the political system receives inputs from society,
such as demands, support, or complaints, and produces outputs in the form
of policies, laws, and decisions. It emphasizes the interaction between
society and the state. For example, farmers demand better minimum
support prices (input), and the government responds by implementing
subsidy schemes (output). This approach helps us understand how political
systems function and respond to society in a structured way.
  Key Points – Systems Approach
o Views politics as a system with inputs (demands) and outputs (decisions/policies).
o Focuses on interaction between society and the state.
o Explains how governments respond to citizens’ needs.
o Helps analyze politics as a dynamic process.

EXAMPLE: Farmers’ demands leading to subsidies or new farm laws.

3. Marxist Approach
- The Marxist Approach views politics as a struggle between social
classes. According to this approach, the state serves the interests of the
ruling or rich class, and political conflicts often arise due to inequality and
exploitation. It emphasizes the role of economic and social factors in
shaping political decisions and power structures. For example, labor
strikes, protests against corporate exploitation, or movements demanding
land reforms can be analyzed through the Marxist perspective. This
approach highlights class struggle as central to political change.

 Key Points – Marxist Approach

o Views politics as class struggle between rich (ruling) and poor (working) classes.
o State serves the interests of the ruling class.
o Focuses on economic and social factors influencing politics.
o Highlights conflict and inequality in political systems.

EXAMPLE: Labor strikes, protests for land reforms, anti-corporate

movements.
 RELATIONSHIP OF POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH
LAW AND OTHER DISCIPLINES.
- Political Science is closely related to many other subjects because
politics affects almost every part of society. Studying these relationships
helps us understand how political decisions, institutions, and processes
interact with laws, society, economy, history, and philosophy.

1. POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LAW

- Political Science and Law are closely connected because politics makes
laws, and law regulates politics. Political institutions like parliaments or
legislatures pass laws, while courts interpret and enforce them. Laws give
structure to political authority and protect citizens’ rights, while politics
decides which laws are necessary and how they are applied.

 Key Points – Law

o Politics makes laws; law regulates politics.
o Ensures structure, authority, and citizens’ rights.
o Example: Right to Information Act → Parliament passes, courts implement.
o Law and politics are mutually dependent.

EXAMPLE: The Indian Parliament passed the Right to Information

Act, a political decision to increase transparency. The courts ensured its
proper implementation, allowing citizens to demand accountability from
public officials.

2. POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS

- Politics and economics are deeply intertwined because economic
conditions influence political decisions, and political actions affect the
economy. Governments create policies on taxation, trade, employment,
budgets, and welfare. Political scientists study how economic policies are
decided and their social impact.
  Key Points – Economics
o Political decisions affect economy; economic conditions affect politics.
o Studies budgets, trade, taxation, welfare policies.
o Example: 1991 liberalization; MNREGA.
o Explains economic-political interdependence.

EXAMPLE: India’s 1991 economic liberalization changed trade,

industry, and foreign investment. Welfare schemes like MNREGA impact
rural economy directly.

3. POLITICAL SCIENCE AND SOCIOLOGY

- Sociology studies society, and politics studies how society organizes and
governs itself. Social structures such as caste, religion, gender, and
ethnicity influence political behavior, voting, and policy priorities.
Political science examines these factors to understand political
participation and movements.

 Key Points – Sociology

o Society shapes politics; politics influences society.
o Focus on caste, religion, gender, ethnicity, social structures.
o Example: BSP; #MeToo movement.
o Helps understand political behavior and participation.

EXAMPLE: Caste-based parties like BSP or social movements like

#MeToo influence policies and awareness.

4. POLITICAL SCIENCE AND HISTORY

- History is essential for understanding politics because past events shape
political systems, institutions, and decisions. Political science studies how
revolutions, wars, and freedom struggles influence contemporary
governance and ideologies.

 Key Points – History

o Past events shape political systems and ideas.
o Explains why governments and constitutions exist today.
o Example: India’s independence; French Revolution.
 o Provides context to understand current politics.

EXAMPLE: India’s freedom struggle and partition shaped its

Constitution, democracy, and foreign policy. French Revolution
influenced liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty.

5. POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PHILOSOPHY

- Philosophy provides the values, ideals, and principles guiding political
thinking and practice. Political science draws on concepts like justice,
liberty, equality, rights, and democracy. These ideals guide political action
and policy-making.

 Key Points – Philosophy

o Provides ideals and principles guiding politics.
o Focus on justice, liberty, equality, rights, democracy.
o Example: Locke’s natural rights; Gandhi’s non-violence.
o Gives a normative foundation to politics.

EXAMPLE: John Locke’s natural rights inspired the American and

French revolutions; Gandhi’s non-violence guided Indian politics.