Political Thinking Science College University Notes Tests

Political science Study a range of political ideas, events, actions, and institutions

Political science focuses on the theory and practice of government and politics at the local, state, national, and international levels. We are dedicated to developing understandings of institutions, practices, and relations that constitute public life and modes of inquiry that promote citizenship.

Even though social sciences weren't academically recognized as such until the 1800s, the concept of Political Science has been around since ancient times. Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle is actually credited with coining the term "Political Science." In ancient times, this type of political thought, considered to be synonymous with the discipline of political philosophy, was a guide for rulers on how to govern their subjects. Aristotle’s thoughts were drawn from his conclusion that governments should seek to benefit the general wellbeing of a population, as opposed to that of certain individuals.

With the sixteenth century came the emergence of a more methodical understanding of governmental affairs, with the appearance of political theorists such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke, whose views on property and individual rights influenced American founding father Thomas Jefferson. The Industrial Revolution and the prevalence of Enlightenment thought brought with them a change in the Political Science field: a stronger prominence on the "science" portion of "Political Science." Social scientists like Karl Marx and Max Weber shifted the focus of politics from specific government institutions to broader subjects like the economy and religion.

It wasn't until the 1950s that the focus of Political Science study shifted again, this time towards behavioralism. The movement, led by the likes of political scientists David Easton, Gabriel Almond, and John Rawls, proclaimed the virtues of studying political behavior. The concept clearly caught on, as most colleges and universities require students earning their Political Science degree take classes in Political Behavior.

Political science is the study a range of political ideas, events, actions, and institutions. It includes both understanding and explaining the world of politics that is all around us. We all participate in politics, though most of the time we do so unknowingly. Politics is much more than simply voting in an election or working in government. Reading or listening to news, making donations to aid groups, or talking with friends and family about social issues and values are a few of the many examples of political activity in our every day lives.

Political Science is concerned with the many institutions, organizations and norms that determine how people perceive society, and in turn, how they interact within it. In Political Science, we discuss basic concepts, such as “power”, “government” or “democracy”, in order to get us thinking about the world around us, and our place in it. Once that we understand the many concepts, we study the connections between them in order to better explain political outcomes, such as: why people vote for one political party as opposed to another, why governments and policies differ in different countries, or why armed conflicts happen in some cases while they are avoided in other cases.

Citizen participation and engagement occurs because of the nature of the institutions that structure society: we work and live within them, and sometimes we rebel against them. If you study Political Science, you will look at how and why.

WHY study political science ?

Studying political science can open up a wide range of job opportunities in both the public, private, and not-for-profit private sectors. Students interested in careers in business, education, law, journalism, communications, government, or politics more generally will obtain vital knowledge and skills. Students can also get practical skills by doing co-ops with government or organizations as part of their education experience.

You will gain expertise and proficiency in the following:

• experience working with others and interacting in a diverse community;
• greater command of reading, writing and critical thinking;
• research and analysis skills that are valuable in a range of employment areas
• an ability arrive at decisions based on the analysis and synthesis of information and data
• an ability to engage with political events and a greater understanding of the processes involved in different political systems around the world;


These are all useful and important skills necessary for a successful career in any field.