The Nature of Political Science
THE NATURE AND MEANING OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science is a discipline that is given the status of a social science. In fact, Aristotle (the ancient Greek philosopher) called it the Master of Science. He saw Political Science as the highest science because he thought all other sciences depend on it. But as one of the social sciences, Political Science lacks a universally unified and acceptable definition as scholars have different approaches to its meaning.
From its origin, “the term politics is derived from the Latin word Politicus, which is coined from the Greek word polis meaning city-state.” It is the subject dealing with the activities of the city-state. “The term Political Science therefore, is a systematized study of the state” (Gokhale 2003:5).
Thus we can define Political Science based on the following: * Political Science can be defined as the science concerned with the origin, evolution, existence and development of the state. * It is the systematic study of political life. * It is a branch of science that deals with the study of politics, analysis of its system and behaviours. * Panel Jarnelt defines it as part of social sciences which treats the foundation of the state and the principle of government. * It is the systematic study of state, its origin format, existence and its external relatives. It also deals with the forms, the principles and the organisation of government.
We can generally conclude that Political Science is an academic and research discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political system and political behaviour. THE SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE According to Gettell R.G political science has a wide range of coverage and studies both state and government. In fact no study of state is possible without government and vice versa. In these terms one would contend that the scope of political science is fixed very sharply that any boundaries are
Political Science is a discipline that is given the status of a social science. In fact, Aristotle (the ancient Greek philosopher) called it the Master of Science. He saw Political Science as the highest science because he thought all other sciences depend on it. But as one of the social sciences, Political Science lacks a universally unified and acceptable definition as scholars have different approaches to its meaning.
From its origin, “the term politics is derived from the Latin word Politicus, which is coined from the Greek word polis meaning city-state.” It is the subject dealing with the activities of the city-state. “The term Political Science therefore, is a systematized study of the state” (Gokhale 2003:5).
Thus we can define Political Science based on the following: * Political Science can be defined as the science concerned with the origin, evolution, existence and development of the state. * It is the systematic study of political life. * It is a branch of science that deals with the study of politics, analysis of its system and behaviours. * Panel Jarnelt defines it as part of social sciences which treats the foundation of the state and the principle of government. * It is the systematic study of state, its origin format, existence and its external relatives. It also deals with the forms, the principles and the organisation of government.
We can generally conclude that Political Science is an academic and research discipline that deals with the theory and practice of politics and the description and analysis of political system and political behaviour. THE SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE According to Gettell R.G political science has a wide range of coverage and studies both state and government. In fact no study of state is possible without government and vice versa. In these terms one would contend that the scope of political science is fixed very sharply that any boundaries are