MEANING OF POLITICS

The term politics is derived from the Greek word ‘Polis’ which means city state and its
administration in practical as well as in philosophical terms. The city state was understood as an
inclusive term, because ancient Greeks did not make any distinction between the state and
government on the one hand, and state and society on the other hand. In other words, Greek
philosophers never differentiated between the personal and social life of the individual.
Therefore, according to them, the term politics refers to the total study of the interrelationships
among man, society, state as well as ideas of morality. However, the term politics is generally
understood as the study of government and state and most importantly the concept of power. In
this way, politics delineates two different sets of meaning- traditional and modern.

In traditional understanding, the politics refers to the study of state and government. However,
the thinkers like Garner, Bluntschlli, Gettel and many others view it as the study of state only
whereas thinkers like Seeley and Leacock refer it as the study of the government. Other thinkers
like Gilchrist and Paul Jenet hold the view that politics is the study of both the state and
government.

Modern understanding of politics holds that politics is the study of power. Scholars like Mosca,
Lasswell, Catlin and Morgenthau subscribe to this understanding of politics. They define power
as a relation among actors in which one actor induces other actors in some way they would not
otherwise act (Robert Dahl), or as the ability to produce intended effects as directly involving
other persons (Lasswell), or as a relationship in which one person or group is able to determine
the actions of another in the direction of the former’s own ends (David Easton). They hold the
view that in politics the power of the state lies in and with the state. Thus, Lasswell and Kaplan
refer it as an enquiry into the study of the shaping and sharing of power.

POLITICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

The terms ‘politics’ and ‘political science’ are often used interchangeably. However, these two
terms are used differently. Politics as explained in Merriam-Webster dictionary as the total
complex of relations between people living in society while Collins refers to politics as the ways
that power is shared in an organization. Further, Cambridge dictionary views politics as the
activities of the government, members of law-making organisations, or people who try to
influence the way a country is governed. Oxford introduces the politics as the activities of
governments concerning the political relations between states.

From the above definitions, it is clear that there are multiple views on politics. According to
Garner, politics begins and ends with the state. Similarly, Gettel views that politics is the study of
the state in the past, present and future.

Used since the days of Aristotle, politics is ordinarily used today to mean two things:

 practical Politics; and

 the art of the government.

In the practical sense, it includes the details as the organization of the political parties, the setting
up of candidates, the winning or losing of elections, the favouring of the party-men in the
distribution of public offices among them, etc. Sir Frederick Pollock has classified politics into
two categories- theoretical politics and applied politics. The theoretical politics deals with the
theory of the state, theory of the government, theory of legislation and the theory of the state as
an artificial person. On the other hand, applied politics includes the state (actual form of
government) and the government (the working of the government), laws and legislation, their
procedures etc., and the diplomacy, war and peace etc. as the state personified. In other words,
theoretical politics deals with the basic problems of the state whereas practical politics deals with
the actual ways in which the government works out the various institutions comprising political
life.

Politics was and still is used as the technique of compromise or the method to capture power and
retain it. According to many political scientists, the study of political science comprises theory of
the state, concept of sovereign power, forms and functions of government, making and execution
of laws, elections, political parties, rights and duties of citizens, policy functions and the study of
welfare activities of the state and government.

There is another aspect of politics that needs to be emphasized. Politics, many times, implies
practical politics. Practicing politics is different from studying it. Practical politics includes
actual formation of government, the working of government, administration, laws and
legislation. It also includes international politics including matters such as peace and war,
international trade and economic order, protection of rights, etc. All these also comprise the
subject matter of the study of politics. In this way, politics is the process while political science
is the study of that process.

While the knowledge of political science as a discipline is acquired through study, the skill of
practical politics is acquired through politicking or manipulations and craftiness or by exploiting
caste and regional loyalties and religious sentiments.

The term political science in contrast to politics is much more comprehensive. It connotes the
whole range of knowledge regarding the state and embraces the theories of the state. It includes
both theoretical and practical dimensions of politics as revealed from the definition of political
science provided by French Political Scientist Paul Jenet who defines political science as that
part of social science which treats of the foundations of the state and the principles of
government. Thus, politics is the applied aspect of political science and as such, narrow in scope
vis-à-vis the discipline of political science.

The problems of the distinction between politics and political science is generally seen by a host
of thinkers as a problem of nomenclature of the discipline. They argue that both politics and
political science refer to a subject of study and the distinction is merely a problem of semantic.
Several instances have been cited of the interchangeable use of the two terms. Politics and
political science have been understood as different terms and although thin and subtle, the
distinction is captured even while referring to a subject of study. Thus, it is wise to accept and
appreciate the distinction between politics and political science.

NATURE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political science is a social science. Its nature is different from the natural science like physics,
chemistry, life sciences, etc. The meaning and definitions shows that it is a systematic study of
political theory, political institutions, political forces and processes. Laski stated that the study of
political science concerns itself with the life of men and women in relation to organized state.
Thus, as a social science, political science deals with those aspects of individuals in society
which relate to their activities and organisations devoted to seeking of power, resolution of
conflicts and all these, within an overall framework of the rule and law as laid down by the state.
When we call political science a science, it is important to see how far this subject stands to the
tests of science in the strict sense of the term or it is an Art. Let examine the nature of political
science:

POLITICAL SCIENCE AS A SCIENCE OR AN ART

There is a great diversity of opinion about the scientific character of the subject which conducts
the study of the state and the government. Some scholars consider it a science of the state and the
government. While others are of the opinion that it is not a science. Aristotle, the Greek thinker
considers it as the supreme science. Some other scholars like Bodin, Hobbes, Sidgwick,
Bluntschli, Lord Bryce, Montesquieu, Cornwall Lewis and Jellinck are also of the same opinion.
However, scholars like Auguste Comte and F.W. Maitland have denied considering the political
science a science. As they claim that the scientific study of the state is not possible. Thus, it is
pertinent to look into both the argument in favour and argument against the subject.

POLITICAL SCIENCE IS NOT A SCIENCE

Political scientist like Maitland, Burke and Gettel do not consider that a political science a
science. Their arguments are as follows:

1. Disagreement in definition, terminology and methods: There is no general agreement

among political thinkers regarding definition, scope, terminology, etc. There is no
exactness in political science, as a result they cannot be accepted and applied universally.
But in the case of natural science, like in physics and chemistry, it does not happen.
2. Human beings: Politics deals with human beings whose minds are unpredictable.
Generally, human behavior is unpredictable and not always logical. Whereas physics and
chemistry deals with matter, hence their rules and laws are absolute and universal.
3. Limited experimentation: Experimentation in laboratory or in an isolated environment is
not possible in politics.
4. Lack of objectivity: Political science lacks objectivity. Political science is subjective and
relative because political scientist has to deal with human beings in relation to society,
state and government.
5. Difficult to predict future: Political phenomena do not follow proper sequence like exact
science. At times, the effects are contrary and therefore the results cannot be predicted.
August Comte, the French thinker, fails to recognize the scientific character of political science
and is not ready to call it a science on three grounds:

1. There is no consensus of opinion among experts as to its methods, principles and

conclusions;
2. Because it lacks continuity of a development; and
3. Because it lacks the elements which constitute a basis of precision.

POLITICAL SCIENCE IS A SCIENCE

Science is generally understood as a universal and a systematic body of knowledge based on

accurate and impartial facts, through which observation, comparison and experimentation can be
made. The scholars like Aristotle, Bodin, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Sidgwick, Lord Bryce,
Bluntschli and Jellinck are not satisfied with the argument given against the scientism of political
science. Their arguments are as follows:

1. Political Science is not a pure science but a social science. Politics is a systematized body
of knowledge. Its facts are collected and organized through proper observation,
comparison and experimentation, etc. Science is a systematic and formulated knowledge
of a specified subject. In that sense political science is certainly a science.
2. In 1950s and 1960s, the behaviouralist attempted to build theory inductively from
empirical propositions. This behavioural approach shifted the focus of political science
from political institutions and structures to that of their functions. It laid the stress on
political activity and the behavior of person who controls these institutions. Thus,
behaviouralist attempted to make the discipline more scientific replacing the study of
ideas by the study of facts, evidence and behavior.
3. Empirical studies are based on careful observation and classification. Political science
puts hypothesis to empirical verification. Theories are not built on speculation. Political
scientists today employ survey methods to arrive at their research conclusion.

POLITICAL SCIENCE IS AN ART

By art, we generally mean, practical application of knowledge for the achievement of a popular
end. Political science applies the knowledge about political events for creating a good social and
political order. Charles A. Beard in 1926 observed that it was neither possible nor desirable that
there should be a science of politics for the reason that political science was concerned with
society, government, law and human behavior which vary across cultures as well as
geographically. Further, the diversity of environments in which political developments take place
also makes it impossible for the discipline to be scientific.

The problems of experimentation to arrive at valid conclusions were crucial in understanding of

the discipline not being categorized as science. This view argues that certain bias, prejudices and
subjectivity are inherent in these political acts, as they are embedded in any analysis of political
events. It is therefore virtually impossible for us to keep our own preferences and experiences out
of our analysis.

SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political science is a dynamic discipline. Scholars like Rodee, Anderson, Cristol and Greene
remark that there is no precise and definite boundary of the scope of political science. Despite
the ambiguity and controversy in the field various aspects included in the study of political
science are as follows:

Study of State and Government: State and government has always been the central focus of
enquiry in politics. It analyses the state in its fundamental condition, essential nature, various
forms of manifestation and development. Government is the agency through which powers of the
state can be exercised. Politics being a scientific enquiries, investigates into the actual working of
the government by essentially analysis the law making, law application and law adjudication
functions.

Study of Political Institution and Constitution: The scope of politics also includes the study of
various political institutions and constitutions. Various political institutions like legislature,
judicial, executive and bureaucracy are studied at length on the basis of their actual role in the
society. Not only this, political science deals with the study of comparative governments and
politics of various states to enable the political scientists to evolve a sound and workable
universal principle for conduct of government.
Study of theoretical concepts: Political science discusses the theoretical concepts of law,
liberty, equality, justice, rights, sovereignty, democracy, etc. It also includes ideas like nation
building, election, methods of representation, issue of development, citizenship, etc. Thus, the
clear understanding of these issues is essential for the study of politics.

Study of political attitudes and orientation: No political system can survive without proper
support from the society. A positive support is represented by the political attitudes and
orientations of the people in the society. It helps in a significant way in political action, how
political attitudes and orientation are formed towards the political system and how they are
changed and maintained are of particular importance to politics.

Study of public policy and decision making: The study of public policy and decision making is
utmost important in the study of political science. Public policy means the broad policies of the
government which affects the people at large. How public policies are made and what are its
positive and negative aspects become an essential for understanding political science. Likewise,
the study of decision making also becomes important tools in political analysis.

Study of international law: International law is a body of principle and rule which regulate the
relations between and among the nations both in peace and war time. Thus, a proper
understanding of international law is essential for expanding horizons of a researcher in politics.

Study of political power: An important area of the study of politics is the study of power.
Politics is all about power. The scholars like Lasswell, Morgenthau and many others deal the
politics with the power. Lasswell views the politics as who get what, when and how. Morgenthau
observes the politics as the struggle for power. In this way, without power, decision and policy
cannot be properly implemented. Hence, the study of power becomes an essential tool for
analyzing political phenomenon.