What is Political Science?

Schar School of Policy and Government

19 Jun 201900:56

Summary

TLDRPolitical science is the study of politics and government using social science tools. Political scientists employ the scientific method, similar to natural scientists, but focus on people and institutions that address or fail to address social issues. The discipline sharpens quantitative reasoning and analytical thinking, which are valuable skills in many careers. Additionally, political science is relevant to everyone, as all citizens engage in politics, contributing to or accepting collective decisions. This field of study reflects the inherent conflict in human nature.

Takeaways

🧠 Political science is the study of politics and government, using social science tools.
🔬 Political scientists apply the scientific method, similar to natural scientists.
❓ The process involves stating a question, using theory, generating hypotheses, gathering data, testing, and making conclusions.
👥 Unlike natural scientists, political scientists study people and the institutions they create.
🏛️ These institutions are designed to solve social problems, though success varies.
📊 Studying political science develops quantitative reasoning and analytical thinking skills.
💼 These skills are highly valuable in many job markets.
👤 All citizens engage in politics, either by contributing to or consenting with collective decisions.
🌍 Political science is deeply connected to human nature, just like the conflicts it studies.
📚 Learning political science is essential for understanding and participating in society.

Q & A

What is political science?
-Political science is the study of politics and government, using the tools of social science.
What method do political scientists use in their research?
-Political scientists use the scientific method, similar to the method used by natural scientists.
What steps are involved in the scientific method used by political scientists?
-The steps include stating a question, using a theory, generating hypotheses, gathering data, conducting a test, and making a conclusion.
What do political scientists study as opposed to natural scientists?
-Instead of studying cells, plants, or forces of nature, political scientists study people and the institutions they create to solve or address social problems.
Why is studying political science valuable in terms of skill development?
-Studying political science helps train the mind in areas of quantitative reasoning and analytical thinking, which are useful skills in many job markets.
How is political science relevant to all citizens?
-All citizens practice politics in their lives, either by contributing to or consenting with collective decisions.
What is the relationship between political science and human nature?
-Political science, like the conflict studied by political scientists, is considered to be a part of human nature.
How do political scientists contribute to understanding social problems?
-Political scientists study the institutions created by people to solve or address social problems, providing insights into their effectiveness or lack thereof.
What distinguishes political science from other social sciences?
-Political science specifically focuses on the study of politics, government, and related institutions, unlike other social sciences which may study broader aspects of human behavior and society.
What is the importance of the scientific method in political science?
-The scientific method provides a systematic approach for political scientists to analyze and understand political phenomena, ensuring that their findings are based on evidence and logical reasoning.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Understanding Political Science

Political science is the systematic study of politics and government through the lens of social science. It employs the scientific method, similar to that used in natural sciences, to explore questions, formulate theories, generate hypotheses, gather data, and draw conclusions. Unlike natural sciences, however, political science focuses on human behavior and the institutions they create to address or sometimes fail to address social issues. This field not only sharpens skills in quantitative reasoning and analytical thinking but also underscores the relevance of political engagement in everyone's life, reflecting the innate political nature of humans.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Political Science

Political science is the study of politics and government, using the tools of social science. It involves analyzing how people create and interact with institutions to address or fail to address social problems. In the video, political science is presented as a discipline that applies the scientific method to understand political behavior and institutions.

💡Scientific Method

The scientific method refers to a systematic approach used by political scientists, similar to natural scientists, to investigate questions. This method includes stating a question, using a theory, generating hypotheses, gathering data, testing, and drawing conclusions. The video emphasizes that political science employs this method to study human behavior and institutions rather than natural phenomena.

💡Social Problems

Social problems are issues within society that political scientists study to understand how institutions try to address them or fail to do so. These problems may include conflicts, inequalities, or other challenges faced by communities. In the video, social problems are presented as a central focus of political science research, highlighting the importance of this field in analyzing societal issues.

💡Institutions

Institutions are the structures and systems that people create to govern and organize society. These can include governments, legal systems, and other organizations that play a role in managing social issues. The video discusses how political scientists study these institutions to understand their impact on society and their role in solving or perpetuating social problems.

💡Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative reasoning involves using mathematical and statistical methods to analyze data and make informed decisions. In the context of political science, it refers to the ability to apply these skills to understand political phenomena. The video highlights quantitative reasoning as a valuable skill developed through the study of political science, which is useful in various job markets.

💡Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is the ability to critically evaluate information, identify patterns, and make logical conclusions. Political science trains individuals in analytical thinking by requiring them to assess complex political issues and data. The video suggests that this skill is not only essential for political scientists but also beneficial in many other professional fields.

💡Citizenship

Citizenship refers to the status and responsibilities of being a member of a political community, such as a nation. The video mentions that all citizens practice politics in their daily lives by either contributing to or consenting to collective decisions. This concept emphasizes the inherent connection between individuals and political science, as everyone engages in political behavior to some extent.

💡Collective Decisions

Collective decisions are choices made by a group, often through a political process, to address shared concerns or issues. In the video, collective decisions are linked to the practice of politics by citizens, highlighting how political science examines the ways in which these decisions are made and their implications for society.

💡Human Nature

Human nature refers to the inherent characteristics and behaviors that define what it means to be human. The video suggests that political science is deeply connected to human nature because it studies conflict and cooperation, which are fundamental aspects of human interactions. This connection underscores the relevance of political science in understanding the complexities of human behavior.

💡Conflict

Conflict is the struggle or disagreement between individuals or groups over differing interests, values, or goals. In political science, conflict is a central theme as it often drives the creation of institutions and the need for governance. The video highlights conflict as a natural part of human interactions, making it a key area of study for political scientists.

Highlights

Political science is the study of politics and government.

It employs the tools of social science.

Political scientists use the scientific method similar to natural scientists.

The scientific method includes stating a question, using a theory, generating hypotheses, gathering data, drawing tests, and making conclusions.

Political science focuses on studying people and the institutions they create to address social problems.

Studying political science trains the mind in quantitative reasoning and analytical thinking.

These skills are useful in various job markets.

All citizens practice politics in their daily lives, either by contributing to or consenting with collective decisions.

Political science is inherently human, as it studies the conflict that is part of our nature.

Political science helps understand the mechanisms of politics and government.

It provides a framework for analyzing political behavior and institutions.

Political science education enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The study of political science is relevant to a wide range of professions beyond academia.

It offers insights into the decision-making processes of governments and organizations.

Political science contributes to the development of public policies.

It examines the role of power and authority in society.

Political science explores the impact of cultural, economic, and social factors on politics.

It provides a foundation for understanding the principles of democracy and governance.

Political science helps in evaluating the effectiveness of political systems and policies.

It encourages civic engagement and informed participation in the political process.

The discipline of political science is essential for a well-functioning democracy.