INTRODUCTION TO APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Comparative politics

UNIT STRUCTURE

1. Learning Objectives
2. Introduction
3. Traditional Approaches to the Study of Political Science
4. Modern Approaches to the Study of Political Science

1. Behaviouralism
2. Post-behaviouralism

5. Other Modern Approaches

1. Systems Approach
2. Structural-Functional Approach
3. Communication Theory Approach
4. Decision Making Approach
6. Let Us sum Up
6. Further Readings
7. Answers To Check Your Progress
8. Possible Questions

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After going through this unit, you will be able to:
discuss the traditional approaches to the study of Political Science
explain the modern approaches to the study of Political Science
distinguish between traditional and modern approaches
list out the differences between Behaviouralism and Post- behaviouralism.

INTRODUCTION

In the previous unit we have read about the growth and evolution of Political Science. This unit will introduce us to the major approaches to the study of Political Science. However, before studying different approaches to Political Science, it must be remembered that Political Science is a branch of the larger area of social sciences and is different from natural sciences. The methods and approaches to the study of Political Science or other social sciences are, therefore, different from the methods that are used in natural sciences like physics, chemistry or biology. The various approaches to the study of Political Science can be broadly classified as - traditional and modern. The traditional approaches include philosophical, historical and institutional approaches while the modern approaches include behavioural approach, post-behavioural approach, systems approach, structural-functional approach, communication approach, etc.

TRADITIONAL APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

The traditional approaches to Political Science was widely prevalent till the outbreak of the Second World War. These approaches were mainly related to the traditional view of politics which emphasized the study of the state and government. Therefore, traditional approaches are primarily concerned with the study of the organization and activities of the state and principles and the ideas which underlie political organizations and activities. These approaches were normative and idealistic. The political thinkers advocating these approaches, therefore, raised questions like ‘what should be an ideal state?’ According to them the study of Political Science should be confined to the formal structures of the government, laws, rules and regulations. Thus, the advocates of the traditional approaches emphasize various norms - what ‘ought to be’ or ‘should be’ rather than ‘what is’.

Characteristics of Traditional approaches:

1.Traditional approaches are largely normative and stresses on the values of politics
2. Emphasis is on the study of different political structures.
3.Traditional approaches made very little attempt to relate theory and research
4.These approaches believe that since facts and values are closely interlinked, studies in Political Science can never be scientific.

Various forms of Traditional Approaches:
The traditional approaches can be sub-divided into the following-

1.Philosophical
2.Historical
3.Institutional
4. Legal approaches.

Now, let us discuss the various traditional approaches:

Philosophical Approach: This approach is regarded as the oldest approach to the study of Political Science. The emergence of this approach can be traced back to the times of the Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Leo Strauss was one of the main advocates of the philosophical approach. He believes that “the philosophy is the quest for wisdom and political philosophy is the attempt truly to know about the nature of political things and the right or good political order.” This approach f