Political science and political theory are two very interlinked yet distinct fields of study within the realm of political studies. Although they are closely related, there is a difference in terms of their definitions, goals, and approaches. Speaking broadly, political science studies how political systems, institutions, behaviour, and structures operate. It encompasses several subfields that include international relations, comparative politics, and public administration, among others, as well as political theory itself. Political theory, on the other hand, deals more with the foundational standpoint of political thought. It seeks to critically analyse concepts of justice, power, liberty, rights, and the role of the state.’
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Definition of Political Science
Political science is that branch of social science dealing with how governments operate, how elections come about, and how people act politically. It focuses on real-life political situations: who decides, who holds power, and how problems are solved in society. This understanding of government and politics can be approached by looking at different systems and the impact they have.
The subfields in political science are mainly divided into:
Comparative Politics: Political systems and practices in other countries.
International Relations: relations between the governments of states and international governance.
Public Administration: Government agencies, bureaucracies, and public policy
Political Theory: Exploration of normative political questions, such as what justice or democracy should look like.
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Definition of Political Theory
Political theory is a part of political science that looks at ideas about politics more abstractly and thoughtfully. Political theorists ask important questions about human nature, the reasons for authority, and the best way to govern. There are two main types of political theory: normative political theory, which talks about how things should be, and empirical political theory, which talks about how things are.
The questions that normative political theory asks are about:
What is justice?
What should be the way to exercise power?
What are citizens' rights and duties?
Political theory reflects on historical texts, philosophical argumentation, and abstract principles. Political theory as a field evolved by thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Rawls as they conceptualized what an ideal society, governance, and people's role in the political order should be.
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Scope of Political Science
Political science is much broader than political theory. Political science tackles the applied aspects of political systems, which include political organizations, policies, governance mechanisms, and electoral processes. It tries to analyze practical aspects of how political power is exercised and challenged. Political science studies political behavior, policy outcomes, and institutional efficiency both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings are often driven by empirical research, data collection, case studies, and comparative analyses against various political systems.
Political science involves not only the realm of political theory but also includes:
Political Economy: Studies the political economy
Political Sociology: Explores how the structures and norms of society influence political behavior.
Policy Analysis: Analysis of government decisions and public policy in terms of their effectiveness and impact.
Political science is very significant for policymakers, political strategists, and governmental institutes since it merely imparts practical knowledge regarding the actual phenomenon of politics.
Scope of Political Theory
Political science is a wider field than just political theory. It looks at how political systems work in real life, including political groups, laws, government methods, and voting processes. It examines how power is used and questioned. Political science studies how people act in politics, the results of policies, and how well institutions work, using both numbers and descriptions. The results are usually based on research, data gathering, case studies, and comparing different political systems. Political science involves not only the realm of political theory but also includes:
Political theory covers areas such as:
Classical Political Thought: a formulation of arguments by ancient thinkers Plato, Aristotle, and Confucius;
Modern Political Thought: This has expressed engagement with Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Mill, and
Contemporary Political Theory talks to present-day debates around social justice, feminist politics, environmental ethics, and international governance.
Political theory is therefore a normative discipline, hence making it possible to explain ideal models of governance and principled governance. It hardly concentrates on the empirical performance of political systems. It is concerned more with the philosophical reflection upon political ideas.
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Approaches in Political Science and Political Theory
Political science is empirical and qualitative in methodology by analyzing the political systems, but political theory uses a normative approach through which theoretical reflection and consideration of ethics about the political concepts take place.
Empirical Approach in Political Science
Political science often uses an empirical approach. This means that it looks at real-life events and data to understand political behavior and systems. Political scientists use tools like surveys, case studies, statistics, and experiments to learn about voting trends, public opinions, and how well the government works. They try to make objective conclusions about how politics functions.
Normative Approach of Political Theory
Political theory, on the other hand, is almost invariably normative, dealing with questions of what should be rather than what is. It calls for the use of critical thinking and philosophical argumentation. A political theorist critically assesses the existing political systems, presents alternative forms of government, and argues over whether given political activities and institutions are justified or not on ethical grounds. Normative political theory is necessarily subjective and less interested in data or empirical findings.
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Functions of Political Science
Political science is an academic discipline that studies political systems, elections, policy analysis, and governance. It is a crucial function through which political institutions work and how human behavior is influenced in the light of economic, social, and cultural factors. Some of the important roles of political science include:
Descriptive Analysis: Political science describes the functioning of governments and political systems in different countries.
Predictive Modeling: Political science, looking into past data, can predict future elections and policy-making trends.
Problem Solving: Sometimes, through their study, political scientists make recommendations to change policy, thus influencing the eventual political decisions of the world.
Functions of Political Theory
Political theory is more of a philosophy and is reflective. It helps in the ethical considerations about politics while trying to shape debates regarding the role of government, the concept of justice, rights, and democracy. Among other functions, political theory includes the following:
Ethical Analysis: Political theory measures whether the current political systems are fair, democratic, and equal.
Philosophical Thought: Political theorists always question existing dogmas that power, politics, and human nature have provided a new lens for political beings.
Guiding Principles: Political theory provides references to guides that guide political movements, constitutional debates, and the law.
Key Differences Between Political Science and Political Theory
Political science is concerned with the empirical study of political systems and behavior, while political theory reflects philosophic inquiry into justice, power, and ideal types of government.
1. Definition
Political Science: This is the science of political systems, behavior, institutions, and government functioning with the use of empirical approaches.
Political Theory: Philosophical thinking on ideas of politics: justice, power, rights, and ideal forms of government.
2. Approach
Political Science: In main empirical studies by relying on facts and case studies, supported by statistical analysis.
Political Theory: Political Theory is normative. It requires philosophical debates and reflections on political values and ideals.
3. Purpose
Political Science: To understand, describe, and analyze how political systems and actions function.
Political Theory: To outline how political systems should function based on ideas of justice, equality, and rights.
4. Methods
Political Science: Employs research tools like questionnaires, statistical analysis, and comparative studies
Political Theory: Exercises philosophical reflections, historical reviews, and critical interpretation of political thought
5. Key Emphasis
Political Science: Concerned with actual political activities, institutions, electoral systems, and policymaking.
Political Theory: Strongly focused on abstract constructs and political philosophy per se, looking at ideas like democracy, liberty, and power.
6. Nature of Inquiry
Political science is descriptive and analytical in nature, with a pretension to also explain how political processes operate.
Political Theory: Normative and prescriptive and has concrete insights into what political entities ought to be.
7. Applied Level
Political Science: Of utility to the policymaker, political analyst, and strategist in understanding government and politics practically.
Political Theory: Enforces ethical debates, shapes political ideologies, and forms justice and governance frameworks
8. Outcome
Political Science: Creates factual knowledge of political systems and enables predictive modeling of political behavior.
Political Theory: Proves to be an ethical and moralistic approach in guiding political discussions and policy debates.
Conclusion
Political science and political theory are intimately related yet separate fields of study. Political science is essentially the field that studies in practice how political systems work. Whereas political theory is the big ideas about justice, power, and how governments ought to function. Together, they help understand politics better in theory and in real situations. Political scientists are concerned with the structure of political institutions and what these institutions realize. while political theorists will think deeper on the moral and ideal aspects of politics. The differences may enable scholars as well as practitioners to better understand political issues.
Difference Between Political Science and Political Theory FAQs
1. What is political science?
Political science attends to the empirical study of political systems, behavior, and institutions, which encompasses analyses ranging from data gathering to policymaking concerning welfare, justice, and liberty.
2. Is political theory a part of political science?
Yes, political theory falls under political science, which is a branch of study that deals with the normative and philosophical aspects of politics. The broader studies include public policy, international relations, and political institutions.
3. Which field is more practical: political science or political theory?
Political science is much more practical than political theory because political science deals with the real world of politics and decision-making systems, whereas political theory deals with broad, abstract ideas and concepts concerning political matters.
4. What are the primary subfields of political science?
The major subfields of political science are comparative politics, international relations, public administration, political theory, political economy, and political sociology.
5. What are some of the most fundamental questions dealt with by political theory?
The critical issues of political theory include: What is justice? What is the best kind of government? What rights hold the citizen? How should society's power be exercised?
