Methods of the study of Political Science

 Methods of the study of Political Science

TABLE OF CONTENTS 
1. Introduction
2. Methods of the study of Political Science
   2.1. Historical Method 
   2.2. Experimental Method
   2.3. Observational Method 
   2.4. Philosophical Method 
   2.5. Sociological Method
   2.6. Behavioural Method



1.Introduction
Political science is methodologically varied and appropriates many methods originating in psychology,political philosophy , and social research. Approaches include positivism, interpretivism, rational choice theory, behaviouralism, structuralism, post-structuralism, realism, institutionalism, and pluralism.

2. Methods of the study of Political Science
Political science is an organized body of knowledge, the facts of which have been scientifically and systematically observed, collected, and classified. These facts are formulated and proved a series of propositions or principles that form the scientific basis. These principles are used as a groundwork for further investigation.

It was not until the nineteenth century that the State's phenomena came to be regarded as a proper field for scientific investigation. Since then, many methods and approaches have been suggested and employed. Auguste Comte suggested three principal methods of investigation, VIZ, observation experiment, and comparison.

Mill held the first two methods of false and emphasized the deductive and historical methods only. James Bryce held that observational, experimental historical, and comparative methods were the only correct and proper methods to give conclusive results.

Deslandres, a French scholar, recognizes six methods:

   The sociological,
   The comparative,
   The dogmatic,
   The juridical,
   The method of good sense, and
   The historical method.

 2.1. Historical Method 
The historical method supplements the experimental method. Gilchrist remarks, “The source of experiments of Political Science is the history they rest on observation and experience. Every change in the form of government, every law passed; every war fought is an experiment in Political Science.” The study of Political Science, according to Laski, must be an effort to codify the results of experience in the history of states.” Political institutions grow instead of beings-made.

2.2. Experimental Method

The experimental method is best where a given phenomenon can be studied under conditions favorable to the investigation by excluding disturbing agencies. It is observed under conditions arranged by ourselves Bat such scientific experimentation is not possible in Political Science for it deals with man and his political institutions. We cannot do in Politics, says Lewis, “what the experimenter does in Chemistry.

We cannot take a portion of the community in our hand as the King of Brobdigang took Gulliver, view it in different aspects and place it in different positions to solve social problems and satisfy our speculative curiosity.”

2.3. Observational Method 

The older generation of political scientists discounted the observational method and based their theories on a priori assumptions, that is, the drawing of specific conclusions from premises per-assumed to be infallible. This was the method of deductive logic. Political thinkers grounded their theories upon premises taken from the Holy Scriptures, from the works of Aristotle, or from other authorities who were supposed to be eminent.

It was only during the Renaissance, and particularly as a result of discoveries, that the search for reality motivated political thinkers to observe, collect, and analyses facts about the actual workings of governments and their institution’s Observational method is one of the Ways of empirical studies and James Bryce was its great advocate He attached great importance to the study of the problems and institutions on the spot to investigate their operations and form conclusions therefrom.

2.4. Philosophical Method 

The methods of the investigation so far considered are inductive. These methods start with certain historical facts in their character or result from the experiment, comparison, or observation. Then, certain conclusions regarding the political phenomena are arrived at. On the other hand, the philosophical method is deductive or, a prior and its prominent exponents are Plato, Rousseau, Hegel, Bradley, Kant, Bosanquet, and Sidgwick. The deductive method implies reasoning from or developing particular conclusions from many general principles or propositions that are admitted or assumed to be true.

Thus, the philosophical or a prior method is reasoning from cause to effect, from a general principle to its consequences. In Political Science, this method of investigation starts from some abstract original idea about human nature. It draws deduction from that idea as to the nature of the State, its aims, its fractions, and its future. It then attempts to harmonize its theories with the facts of history.

2.6. Behavioural Method

In the 1950s and 1960s, the study of politics assumed a new form called "behaviouralism" or "behavioral persuasion in politics". 

This doctrine made the theoretical development of the scientific tradition of the study of politics. 

It is a protest movement against traditional methods. 

It studies the behavior of political stakeholders via observation, data collection, interviews, research, etc.

It made Political Science more scientific.


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