Question
To what extent is politics a science?
Answer
The question of whether politics is a science is a longstanding debate within the field of political science. The extent to which politics can be considered a science depends on the methodologies and paradigms used to study political phenomena.
Political Science as a Science
Historical Paradigms: Political science has evolved from a coherent theoretical formulation in the 18th and 19th centuries to a more scientific paradigm in recent decades, focusing on the political system as a core concept (Almond, 1966). This shift reflects a broader transformation in the understanding of science, moving from rigid positivist models to more flexible, contextually informed approaches (Khelfa and Zamani, 2023).
Methodological Approaches: The discipline has seen a transition from the behaviouralist era, which sought abstract regularities in political behaviour, to approaches that emphasize historical and contextual understanding of political identities and processes (Smith, 2004). This reflects a broader acceptance of diverse methodologies, including interpretive and empirical approaches, to understand political phenomena (Orum, 1981).
Science and Politics Interrelation: The relationship between science and politics is complex, with science often used to legitimize political decisions. This interplay is evident in democratic societies where scientific and political representations share resources and influence each other (Jasanoff, 2010). The politicization of science, where scientific findings are influenced by political agendas, further complicates the notion of politics as a pure science (Brown, 2015).
Challenges and Critiques: Some scholars argue that the emotional and subjective nature of politics makes it difficult to study it scientifically. The field is often criticized for producing work that lacks empirical validity and fails to provide clear insights into political phenomena (Orum, 1981; Allison, 1973).
Conclusion
Political science can be considered a science to the extent that it employs systematic methodologies to understand political systems and processes. However, its scientific status is nuanced by the influence of historical, contextual, and subjective factors that challenge the application of traditional scientific methods. The discipline continues to evolve, integrating diverse approaches to better understand the complexities of political life.
References
Almond, G., 1966. Political Theory and Political Science. American Political Science Review, 60, pp. 869 – 879. https://doi.org/10.2307/1953762
Smith, R., 2004. Identities, Interests, and the Future of Political Science. Perspectives on Politics, 2, pp. 301 – 312. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592704040174
Khelfa, N., & Zamani, S., 2023. Is Political Science a Science?. Jurnal Politik indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Politics). https://doi.org/10.20473/jpi.v9i2.45224
Orum, A., 1981. Is a Social Science of Politics Possible?. American Journal of Sociology, 87, pp. 445 – 452. https://doi.org/10.1086/227471
Jasanoff, S., 2010. Science in Democracy: Expertise, Institutions, and Representation. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118, pp. A312 – A312. https://doi.org/10.1080/02589346.2010.522346
Brown, M., 2015. Politicizing science: Conceptions of politics in science and technology studies. Social Studies of Science, 45, pp. 3 – 30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306312714556694
Allison, L., 1973. Politics and the Problem about ‘Science’. British Journal of Political Science, 3, pp. 250 – 252. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007123400007833
Axford, B. and Browning G. K. (2002) Introduction. In Axford, B., Browning, G. K., Huggins, R., Rosamond, B. and Turner J. (Eds), Politics: An Introduction. Second edition. London and New York: Routledge, pp. 1-14.
Leftwich, A. (2004) Thinking politically: On the politics of politics. In A. Leftwich (Ed.), What is Politics? The Activity and its Study. Cambridge: Polity, pp. 1-22.
