THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

WHAT IS POLITICAL SCIENCE?

Old political scientists define political science as the study of the state in all elements,
aspects and relationships. Such elements and aspects include its government and its organs
and institutions through which the state functions. (with text)
Modern political scientists define political science goes far beyond the traditional
connotation. To them, it is also systematic study of politics an attempt by systematic
analysis to discover in the confusing detail whatever principles may exist of wider and more
general significance, not only about the state, its organ and institutions but also other
institutions or polities as well as political attitudes of people and their leaders, controversial
issue and other aspects concerning the states operation, powers and functions. (with text)
The systematic study of politics is distinguished from the practice of politics. The
student of politics or political scientist may serve as an adviser to the political practitioner or
a politician. But of course, the same person may at the same time be a political scientist and a
politician. (with text)
Examples: Nicollo Machiavelli, the great political philosopher of the Italian Renaissance
and Woodrow Wilson, a great President of the United States. Machiavelli began his career as
a politician and became a political scientist when his political career ended. He served as a
secretary of the Republic of Florence for 14 years. He served in diplomatic mission to popes,
emperors, and kings and the end of that period. He was a victim of Florentine factionalism
which caused him unhappiness, but it was also the source of inspiration that made him a
great political scientist via his two masterpieces: The Prince and the Discourses. His writings
were so lacking standard of morality that many people considered him to represent political
evil. He wrote honestly what he believed to be truth. Unfortunately, he was condemned
seemingly to eternity for his truthfulness.
Machiavelli loathed despotism and believed devoutly in the virtues of republican
institutions.
Woodrow Wilson, on the other hand, was a historian and political scientist first before he
became a politician in his capacity as a state governor and later, President of the United
States. As a political scientist he wrote a book on Congress, entitled: Congressional
Government, which still widely read in United States, and another book: International
Ideals, concerning the relations of the American President with the Senate on matters of
foreign policy.
Wilson unfortunately ignored his being a political scientist when he was President, just as
modern politicians ignored the advice of political scientists when they engaged themselves in
politics.

UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
To have a clearer understanding of politics, it is essential to examine the main question: what
is political science? It is imperative, therefore, to divide the question into two suggested by
the words: political and science- Image
What is politics? From a historical viewpoint, the term politics came from the Greek word,
polis or city-state. Aristotle in his famous book: The politics made that every polis, or citystate is a kind of association and that man by nature is a political animal. From this view, it
can be deduced that; (Aristotle)
The essence of social existence is politics and that two or more men interacting with one
another are invariably involved in a political relationship.
This relationship may be characterized by rule, authority, or power. Indeed, when
men live together in associations, they create rules, authorities, or governments to deal with
conflicts and the very attempts to rule also help generate conflicts. Thus Dhal says:
Politics arises, then whenever there are people living together in associations, whenever
they are involved in conflicts, and wherever they are subject to some kind of power, ruler
ship, or authority..
It was Aristotle who said that the only way by which men could maximize their capabilities
and attain the highest development of their social life was through political interaction with
others in an institutionalized setting the state. This is because the state is designed to
resolved social conflicts and set collective goals that would attain and promote the good life.
The important function of the state is performed by government. The government of the
state is at the very center of politics and that of political science. The various institutions that
make up the government of the state are the executive, legislative, judiciary, local
government, and other government institutions, are all involved in politics.
There are also other organizations, associations and institutions that affect the operation of
government that help determine what the organs of the government actually do: what
rules the government adopts and enforces. The most important of these organizations are
political parties. They field candidates during elections, and if they win they conduct the
affairs of government, and if they lose they criticize and fiscalize the actions and policies of
the governing party or coalition of parties. They offer to the people alternative policies which
the people may consider in the next elections. There are in addition to parties, other
organization called interest groups which may pressure and influence government to make
policies favorable to their respective members. These interest or pressure groups may be nongovernment organizations, like labor unions, farmers and fishermens associations, business
and other peoples organizations. Political parties, interest and pressure groups are clearly
at the center of politics, and therefore, of political science. Speaking of politics, ordinary
citizens cannot be ignored, since they participate in elections and in other political activities.

Such forms of participation are also elements of politics. (Image of Political parties,groups
and interest groups)
BOUNDARIES OF POLITICS
There are political scientists who say that the meaning of politics extends to any activity
involving human being associated together in relationships of power and authority where
conflicts occur. In this regard, politics exist everywhere: within labor unions, business
organizations, organizations of doctors, nurses, farmers, consumers, and even private clubs,
school campus associations anywhere where groups and individual assemble.
POLITICS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Some political scientists, like Froman, define politics in a broad sense, as distribution of
advantages and disadvantages among people through interaction with each other to satisfy
their different wants and needs. Their interaction produces conflict, or may result in
competition deriving from opposition of preferences. Attempts are made to reach some sort
of compromise and accommodation to reconcile differences. If a compromise is reached all
concerned in the controversy will be able to benefit.
Man by nature has dual tendencies one towards the good and another towards the bad.
Likewise, politics is either good or bad. Unfortunately, people are puzzled why in the
practice of politics many politicians are more inclined towards bad politics in gaining power
and self aggrandizement rather than towards good politics in synchronizing government
activities with those private groups for the attainment of development goals for the general
welfare.
People should forget their hatred for politics. No human being can escape politics. Politics is
the essence of democracy. A constitutional democracy cannot continue to exist without it.
In defense of politics Brademas advised the political skeptics to read Bernard Cricks in
defense of Politics, where they could find the following passage:
To renounce or destroy politics is to destroy the very thing which gives order to the pluralism
and variety of civilized society, the thing which enables us to enjoy variety without suffering
either anarchy or the tyranny of single truth.
POLITICAL SCIENCE: A Scientific Study
How scientific is political science? To some people the word science connotes simply any
systematic approach to human knowledge on a certain field of inquiry. One could speak
therefore of the science of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, astronomy, geology or
any other discipline of the natural sciences.
Many writers object to calling political science a science claiming that the study of the state
and its institutions, other political organizations associated with it, and of political

phenomena, yields to variability and flexibility and lack of notions of constancy and rigidity.
But the consensus among most political scientists is that it is a corpus of systematic
knowledge about a particular area of inquiry, hence a science.
To them political science is a mass of systematically researched and organized knowledge
about the state and its institutions, including closely related organizations and associations
acquired through long years of observation and experience. Their thinking conforms with that
of Aristotle, a father of political science and of the scientific method, who made empirical
studies of political phenomena by using the city state as a laboratory.
Even physical scientists, like Newton and Descartes contributed components to political
science when they applied mechanical and mathematical principles to the structure of
government.
In the latter part of the eighteen century these concepts found their way into the writings of
Montesquieu who advocated the doctrine of separation of powers complemented by checks
and balances among the executive, legislative, and judicial bodies.
It was on the view of Rodee, et.al that political science probably ranked the lowest in terms
of scientific potential. However, most political scientists agree that political science had a
higher scientific potential than history, philosophy, or any of the disciplines in the
humanities.
To gain as much as possible reliable knowledge of the facts of politics, one should not
confine his study only in the library through books, historical materials, records, and the like,
or even in the classroom. He should get out mingle with people in the noise and turmoil of
political life.
Observing politics by the modern political scientist is much more complicated than that of
Aristotle and Machiavelli. His laboratory is much larger and the population is much bigger.
The political laboratory is the world the world of politics. He must work in the laboratory
with the same great care and concern for the accuracy and reliability of his observation as
that of the natural scientist in his laboratory. But direct observations are all but useless unless
the political researcher spends more time in in-dept analysis of his data. So he must go back
to his deck to read and ponder in the silence of his duty room on the data he gathered, and
tries with firm resolve to pierce the veil that seems to hide the truth.
THE FIELDS OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
From the time of Plato and Aristotle up to the present, there has been continuously study,
speculation, theorizing about the state its origin, nature, purposes, governmental
organization and other institutions and their processes, functions and problems.
The study of political science undergoes revisions as new world problems arise and new
methods of political research are devised. Because of these changes, the study of political
science has been expanding from one special field to another. After World War I and II, for
example, courses in international and public administration have increased as modern

governments have become more complex because of the expansion of their functions and
agencies.
Immediately before World I, there were only four general subdivisions of political science:
political theory, government, comparative government, and elements of law. Today according
to the list of the American Political Science Association, the number of the special fields of
study in political science has increased two fold. These areas of political science include:
1. Political theory or philosophy
2. Public law
3. International relations, international law and international organizations
4. Government (national and local government)
5. Comparative government
6. Public administration
7. Political dynamics (political parties, public opinion and propaganda, pressure and interest
groups)
8. Legislation and legislatures
9. Government and Business (enumerated)
1. Political Theory. There are different views about political theory. One view states that
political theory is political thought which explains the political ideas and beliefs of a group
of young people, a body of concepts they live by at a certain period. Another view regards it
as political philosophy which expresses the moral or ethical standards that governments may
adopt to run public affairs. A third view defines political theory as political ideology, which is
an official doctrine that the people of a state adhere to, and which encompasses all the aspects
of human existence.
Political philosophy is concerned with the normative implications of political organization
and behavior the method and ways by which the state and society are organized for human
welfare, and the way or manner by which political leaders and citizens behave in their
relationships with each other for the common good given fundamental human values.
Political ideology may also refer to a belief system that explains and justifies a preferred
political order for society, either existing or proposed, and offers a strategy (processes,
institutions, programs) for its attainment. Examples of political ideology are: Filipino
nationalism or Pilipinism, liberalism or democracy, socialism, communism, etc.
No matter how these views differ, political theory contains political thought and political
philosophy. And since an ideology is evolved from a theory, it can be deduced that political
ideology is also a part of political theory.
Political Theory, therefore, is a branch of political science which deals with the study of the
state through a systematic body of principles relating to the origin, form, behavior, and
purposes of the state, and upon which its political system operates. Political theory does not
only refer to political ideas about the state and its institutions, but political thoughts from

great political thinkers or philosophers about political phenomena patterns of thought

brought together which indicates the influence that man had upon another in the evolution of
political thinking.
Political theory refers to the disciplined investigation of political problems about political
nature, and has in the main the domain of philosophical writers beginning from the ancient
times up to the present. Thus, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Thomas
Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Emmanuel Kant, Karl Marx, Montesquieu, De
Tocqueville, Burke and Max Weber are great names in the realm of political theory.
For example there is a theory of Aristotle that man is a political animal a rational being;
and that of Montesquieu with respect the doctrine of separation of powers and functions of
three branches of government the executive, legislature and the judiciary. His theory
greatly influenced the framers of the American Constitution. In turn Montesquieus theory
found its way into the Philippine Constitution creating a presidential system of government
characterized by separation of governmental powers.
Three (3) components of Political Theory
1. Facts and descriptions
2. Generalization based on empirical data
3. Moral components or value judgments
Political theorists from Plato to the present have constructed several theoretical and
conceptual formulations of the state and society. Among them are the origin of the state as
exemplified by the divine right theory, sovereignty, limited government, separation of
powers, checks and balances, popular representation, democratic elitism, and others.
The functions of political theorists, therefore, is to consider the facts of the state and society
in their entirely, in all their ramifications and elements. They infuse significance and meaning
to a mass of data and suggest conclusions and remedies, which would guide decision makers
in the formulation and enforcement of good policy.
2. Public Law. It refers to the constitutional and legal principles/rules governing sovereign
states, governments and individuals in their relationships with one another.
Public law is thus subdivided into: international law, constitutional law, and administrative
law. It also includes jurisprudence, the science of law in general dealing with study of legal
systems, the foundations of law from the historical, sociological, ethical, and physiological
viewpoints.
It was Jean Bodin, a French political philosopher (1530-1596), who first coined the term
political science whose predominating concern in such a study was the organization of the
state and its institutions based on law. He started with the theory of sovereignty that the state
must be ruled by a supreme power whose rule over citizens and subjects was unstrained by
law. Why was sovereign unstrained by law? It is because he was the source of law.

Bodin was one of the many political theorists, ancient as well as modern, who contended that
public law originated from the command of the sovereign imposed upon the citizens and
subjects which they must obey. Disobedience could only mean penalties and sanctions.
3. International Relations, International Law, and International Organizations
More courses in international relations have been taught as modern nation-states, in spite of
their conflicting ideologies and national interests, become more inclined to co-exist than be
divided in a world of turmoil. The focus in this field of political science involves inquires
into the foreign policy of nation-states in their mutual relationships on the different forces
geographical, technological, economic, demographic, psychological and ;political which
contribute to the shaping of such policy.
This course of study also includes international law, the body of generally accepted
principles that governs and regulates the relationship and conduct of nation-states. In
addition, the study of international relations also embodies courses in international and
regional organizations, like the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the ASEAN.
The study of international relations, international law, and international organizations
becomes more imperative and significant in the light of an emerging new world order which
is being stabilized and significantly affecting international relationships of sovereign nationstates relating to new power arrangements. The winds of change in the communist countries
of Europe, particularly in the Soviet Union brought about the demise of communism. The
most important event that took place as a result of this change was the disintegration of the
Soviet Union (USSR). The republics which formed by the superpower structure declared
themselves independent. Later on, a majority of them led by Russia formed themselves as the
Commonwealth of Independent States.
In view of these new developments, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
of which the Philippines is a member, has taken major steps in the formation of a strong
regional community by forging a political, economic and social agreement which may further
enhance security arrangements in the near future. What the member-nations of the
international community would do to preserve and strengthen this new world order would be
an ample source of study in this sub-discipline of political science.
4. Government. Is a distinct branch of study, dealing with the government set-up of a state
on both national and local levels. The study covers the state constitution, laws, citizenship,
structures of the various levels of government, the election process, the judicial system,
political parties, and interest groups, foreign affairs, etc.
An important part of this study is to find out how the government operates from the point of
view of the relationship between the governors and the governed. How do the governors
formulate and implement policies? The operation of government is exemplified in the
application of David Eastons behavioral concept, the authoritative allocation of values.

Another important part of the study of government is whether government has legitimate
power and authority to govern. What is a legitimate government? How is official authority
obtained, maintained and strengthened? These questions are potential sources of inquiry by
students of government as a field of study in political science.
5. Comparative Government. The study of comparative government becomes more
important in contemporary times with the emergence of newly independent states. The study
uses descriptive analytical or sociological method in seeking the similarities and differences
among states as regards their executive, legislative and judicial bodies, their constitutions,
laws, administrative organizations, foreign policies, political parties and processes,
economic, social and political functions, and their cultures and traditions.
6. Public Administration. The advent of new world developments has made government a
highly complex machinery or instrumentality of the state. Government becomes important
machinery with expanding activities and functions. In order to maximize the effectiveness of
government in carrying out the purposes and objectives of the state, there is a need for
trained government personnel, for more cooperation and coordination, management and
supervision, for more efficient performance of government functions and for better
government organization. These are the concerns of public administration as a field of study
in political science.
Public administration brings forth a fountains knowledge on the techniques and methods of
managing and administering government in the phases of administrative organization,
personnel administration, financial or fiscal administration, and the management of good
public relations.
Such is the importance of public administration today that it concerns itself not merely with
the conduct of governmental functions and execution of public policy, but also the
determination and adoption of appropriate measures pursuant to the rule-making power of
legislative bodies. More courses in public administration are being offered in many colleges
and universities, for the training of government personnel, especially for those interested in
the progress of their respective careers.
The administrators in government at all levels of the bureaucratic hierarchy are the focus of
this study. Current research is concerned with patterns of behavior of public administrators in
the performance of certain administrative roles and responsibilities. How will the public
administrator bring about positive results in the implementation of government programs in
relation to other administrators, or those in the lower echelons of the agency that initiated the
government programs? In as much as administrators are appointed officials and are not
therefore accountable to the electorate, how can they be motivated to perform their tasks with
a higher sense of responsibility to promote public interest? These questions have been left
unanswered by many administrators.
To help answer these questions, researchers rely on case studies regarding the interaction of
administrators in the formulation and implementation of a government program.

7. Political Dynamics. Is a new term which is yet to be popularized. It refers to the studies in
political science which are concerned with the interplay of different societal forces that
influence political decision and action. These forces may be economic, social, political,
moral or religious, educational, and cultural in nature.
They exert influence on the formulation and determination of public policy. Some of the
forces may, on the extreme, even control government and public policy.
Included in these studies are courses dealing with the organization and functions of political
parties, the role of pressure groups in the decision making process, public opinion and
propaganda.
Political parties are the most important and visible among these forces or associations in
society because they attempt to win control of the government through the ballot.
Certain important aspects of the study on political parties include the methods and
processes of organizing political parties, how they utilize campaign strategies and tactics in
winning electoral support, the behavior of party leaders, members and followers during
elections, and the similarities and differences of party systems.
Another study in political dynamics is awareness of what interest or pressure groups are.
The decisive role played by these groups gives students a clear understanding in the
operation of a democratic system especially in highly developed and progressive countries.
8. Government and Business. Although government and business may be included in the
study of government, or comparative government, it is always to consider it as one of the
subdivisions of political science to give emphasis to governmental exercise of corporate, or
business function, as well as its regulatory function affecting the national economy. A course
in government and business may be called modern political economy, which treats of
certain subjects like welfare states, the budget, fiscal management, government regulation of
business, business function of the government, and generally, the economic conditions of the
state including full employment, price stabilization, inflation, and economic growth.
9. Legislature and Legislation. This field of study may also be covered by courses in some
fields already discussed above, but its importance should not be overshadowed by such
coverage. As a branch of political science, it brings into the political limelight the vital role
that the legislature plays in making laws. Legislation is an intricate process, and as a separate
course, it can be expanded to describe a clear view of what the legislature is, its structure and
organization.
An important phase of this study is knowledge of legislative politics that pervades in the
legislature. For instance, election of legislative officers and creation of legislative committees
engender competition for leadership of the legislature and for the chairmanship and
membership of committees. The use of strategies and tactics is an element of legislative
politics.

From another plane, legislative politics is also practiced in the enactment of legislation. For
example in a multi-party system where no party was able to obtain a majority of electoral
support, political parties with common interests and programs, particularly those which won
a big number of seats in the legislature may form a coalition to build a consensus in the
passage of legislation.
The leaders and members of the coalition must compromise and accommodate each other to
assure a majority in the enactment of bills in to laws. In a two-party system, legislative
politics is used to balance the powers of the executive and the legislative as well as
harmonize their relationship to avoid impediments in the formulation of legislative policies.
RELATIONSHIP OF POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH OTHER STUDIES
The relationship of political science with other branches of learning, especially the social
sciences, makes political science more meaningful and significant as it draws strength and
energy from them.
Political Scientist who are deeply interested in the political system show much interest in
knowing the impact of history, economics, sociology, psychology, geography, philosophy,
statistics, anthropology, ethics, laws, and religion upon political science.
1. Political Science and History
It is a task of political scientists and students of politics to scrutinized political institutions, to
give an account of their functional systems and to unknown with of application predict their
future direction; while history the continuous study of the past events connected with a
person, thing, or place, follow or discover the root and development of the state and of its
political institutions.
Whenever political scientists make a study of a state and its political institutions, they depend
on history in knowing its origin, its growth and development. An analysis of the causes and
factors that influence the states growth and development makes it necessary for political
writers to rely on historical facts. Thus, knowledge of historical foundations of the state will
help political thinkers to analyze and describe present political phenomena, and consequently
to enables them to provide, through lessons of the past, direction to and meaning for the
future.
For example, the centralization of government in the Philippines at a certain period can be
traced back to the barangay government in pre-Spanish Philippines where all powers of
government were centered on the local executive, the datu. It can be stressed that all political
institutions can be better understood in their structure, organization and operation, in their
laws and constitutions by employing the historical approach. Thus, it can be said that
political science is meaningless without its interdependence with history. In the oftquoted words of Dr. J. Seeley, Political science without history is hollow and baseless;
history without political science has no fruit; and political science without history has no
root.
2. Political Science and Economics

Political Science is also closely related to economics. Some political scientists like J.
Roland Pennock and David G. Smith, consider the relation of economics and politics as a
center of controversy in the modern times. They explain that the controversy is linked with
such central issues as the limits of political change and the forces that influence decision
makers and institutions.
Economics is a social science or a branch of study that concerns itself with the problem
allocating scarce resources so as to attain the optimum satisfaction of societys unlimited
wants. It is the study of how human beings coordinate their wants and desires, given the
decision making structures working together, social customs, and political realities of the
society.
It is in this essence, that political science receives energy from economics. By employing
economic approach, a student of political science gains an insight into the economic
conditions of the state. He learns how the government shapes and determines economic
policies on the use of resources in order to achieve the best of national goals the economic
welfare of the people.
Finally, policymakers cannot disassociate themselves from certain economic terms like
budget, income, welfare state, labor, unemployment, capital, monetary system, growth, taxes,
finance, and balance of payments. It is from the viewpoint that some students of politics
assert that economics determines polities, that economics shapes political institutions and sets
the bounds within which government must operate.
Political science cannot disassociate itself from economics, since the problem of every
country, especially developing nations, like the Philippines, is how to become economically
progressive.
An aggressive, strong and effective political leadership is needed to save a country from
economic disaster and bring it back on the road to political and economic stability. The
implication, therefore, is that political science has a symbiotic relationship with economics.
3. Political Science and Sociology
Sociology is the study of society as a whole. It is the study of society that treats of social
problems relative to other variable of society. It is also a social science course that enriches
political science by its contributions to the study of social problems which are also the
problems of the government. The sociologist investigations and inquiries on crime, marital
relation problems, juvenile delinquency, housing problems, etc. are data available to the
political scientists to evaluate, and which may later become interesting and basic subjects of
legislation.
Sociology has contributed a lot to the study of political science. The relationship of the
governors and the governed is very much emphasized. Students in this field must have a clear
understanding of how the state exercises its power and authority over its citizens, and why
such an exercise is balanced by the citizens and other groups of individuals in the enjoyment
of their liberties and freedoms. The rule of government over the governed must be
legitimate, that is such rule should be with the tacit acceptance of the majority of the

population of the state. An aspect of reciprocal relationship between the government and the
citizens lies on the effectiveness of government to be legitimate in its rule. For according to
Pennock and Smith, a government cannot become effective without at least a measure of
legitimacy. It cannot retain its legitimacy unless it becomes effective.
4. Political Science and Psychology
Psychology is the science dealing with the mind and mental characteristics, and the sum of a
persons actions, traits, and thoughts. It has caused to great aid to the government in the
governance of the phenomena of the state. Psychologist have been hired in the testing of
knowledge or ability and diagnosis of mental characteristics of suspected criminals,.
It has been said by some political writers that psychology is the foundation for political
science. Many political thinkers of the past from Thomas Hobbes to Jeremy Bentham down
to contemporary times, tried to evolve a whole science of politics based on psychology.
The close relationship of political science with psychology may also be understood in the
study of political dynamics where students learn a lot about the operation of political parties
to achieve their main goal of controlling the government.
The study of political behavior is a good example of how men used psychology in their
theories about politics. Jeremy Bentham, father of utilitarianism in nineteenth century in
England, formulated a theory of political behavior on the fundamental reality that men act
always in pursuit of their self-interest.
This view was earlier explored by Thomas Aquinas and Thomas Hobbes who expounded
their theories of morals and politics on a solid foundation of reality by recognizing the fact
that mans instinctive desire is to preserve himself.
Man has many other desires the desire for self-expansion: for freedom, new experience,
creativity and power. They are amalgamated by a powerful motivating force that goes far
beyond to explain mans search for self-expansion in his desire for power. It is here that
psychology is invaluable to political science.
Psychology provides a well-spring of knowledge to students who are interested in knowing
how man acts and behaves to achieve popular esteem through the successful exercise of
political leadership or the attainment of political power.
5. Political Science and Anthropology
Anthropology is the study or process of acquiring information about the origin, physical
and cultural evolutions, racial attributes, and social customs and beliefs of mankind.
Students of politics are benefited by the anthropological theory of the state. Anthropologists
believe that the state evolved from the family, and from the clan into bigger or more
extensive groupings (i.e. the tribe) and finally the nation, bound by common ties and goals.

While Aristotle writes that man is by nature a political animal, the anthropologist helps the
students of political science to understand this Aristotelian view that man is a rational,
civilized and cultured being.

6. Political Science and Geography

Geography is the study of earths physical features, people, climate, and nature among
others. The apparent purpose of geography is to give an account of elucidate the
interconnection between man and his natural world.
The knowledge of geography is very useful in the study of political science, especially those
aspects related to external political problems, frontiers or boundaries, national power, and
trade relations, which have led to the galvanization of regional arrangements or associations.
An example is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Perturbed by external
problems the member nations sought new approaches that would keep the association
operationally viable, strong and dynamic.
The relationship of political science with geography is considered by many political scientists
as very fundamental in the study of political science that has been enriched by a course called
geopolitics.
Geopolitics is a science which emphasizes that the domestic and foreign policies of a state
are dependent upon its physical environment. It is a study in political science which
considers the location of a state as a very important factor in its growth, development and
survival.
7. Political Science and Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of fundamental truths and principles of the universe, life, and morals
and of human understanding. It is a search, an investigation, and understanding of things.
Although the relationship of political science with philosophy is not as close as its
relationship with sociology, psychology, economics, and history, philosophy also has
contributed to the versatility of political science in the field of philosophy. Such political
theories about the origin of the state, individualism, democracy, communism, the separation
of governmental powers, and others are but a few examples of philosophies of those who
advocated them.
Indeed, political philosophy has presented to man alternative visions of the state. The study
of political science lacks substance without political philosophy infusing certain values in
political theories.
8. Political Science and Statistics
Statistics is a science of collecting and interpreting numerical facts about things or people.
The study of statistics has developed into a more and more utilization of an effort by students

of politics to reach the standard required by as feasible the importance of certain political
phenomena. It is the study of money resources or financial programs as definitely stated in
the budget, a know-how of statistics allows one to read easily the significance that is weave
together with the numerical symbol of numbers. Succinctly, statistics occurs in with all
empirical processes of political puzzles.
9. Political Science and Law
Law is the legislative pronouncement of the rules that should guide ones actions in society;
the integration of those rules and principles of conduct made known to the public by the
legislative authority such as court decisions, or established by local custom. Political Science
on the other hand, is the study of the occurrences of the state and its diverse perspective and
relationships of which law takes shape.
The development of government is guided by the advancement of law. No matter what the
authoritative decision in the initial stages of the political institution of government, the
people living in one community kept under control by rules or customs which had the assent
of law.
10. Political Science and Ethics
Political Science and ethics share-out conventional inquisitiveness associated with each
other what ought to be a good government. Ethics, which treats of human actions whether
good or bad, right or wrong, justifiable or unjustifiable, acceptable or unacceptable studies
vital questions on the morality of human conduct and provides essential principles
concerning particular issues.
How to live in concord with other people often has been the course of human attention. The
laws of the state ruminates the ethical values and ideals of the citizens.
11. Political Science and Religion
Religion is a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power. It has influenced
nations the world over embodying their political orientation and development. Some political
scientists held that some governments are pro-God, while others reject the existence of god.
The prevalent or widespread range of vision that politics and religion dont amalgamate since
the concern of politics or government is to protect the life, liberty, and property of the people,
while the concern of the Church is to spiritually uplift the people.
Karl Marx understanding of religion, summarized in a passage from the Contribution to the
Critique of Hegels Philosophy of Right. Religious suffering is, at one end and the same
time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh
of the oppressed creature, the heart of the heartless world, and the soul of the soulless
conditions. It is the opium of the people.
In contrast the Philippines have a government that request earnestly divine power of God.
Political scientist have incessantly analyzed the role of religion in the dominant trend of

opinion of the political life of the people and assert the truth that religion affects the way a
country is governed.

METHODOLOGY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

1. PHILOSOPHICAL METHOD
During the times of Plato and Aristotle, Greek Philosophers, both philosophized about
government and mans political activities. Since then, political scientists have expounded and
analyzed political theories of what the government ought to be and how it ought to function.
Plato in his famous book The Republic, envisioned a Utopian-like government under the
benevolent rule of a wise and incorruptible ruler.
2. HISTORICAL METHOD
It seems to be the most popular of all methods employed in studying political science. This
method looks into the political institutions which thrived in the past eras and appraises the
political growth and development brought about by the tides of times. Political analysts may
be able to make certain inferences for future plans and actions.
3. EXPIREMENTAL METHOD
This method seeks to discover by a series of experiments and certain general truths on
political problems. There has been a lot of political experimentation in all governments. The
process of government is depends upon the series of experiments. Laws and regulations are
passed by the government and adopt political practices by means of experiments.
4. OBSERVATION METHOD
This method deals with the study of political institutions by observing their actual
performances. High government officials are sent to other countries able to observe the
operations of their government.
5. PSYCHOLOGICAL METHOD
Psychology has been rendering invaluable aid to the government in the management of the
affairs of the state. The use of psychology as a method has been going on along with its
increasing usefulness in the solution of many problems of the state.
6. SOCIOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL METHOD
This method seeks to explain the growth and development of the state in the premise of the
evolutionary theory.
7. JURIDICAL METHOD
This method regards the state as a legal entity consisting of laws, rights and obligations
premised on logic and reason. It gives emphasis on the legal relations between government

and people. It analyzes the legal relations between the offices of the government and private
citizens.
8. ANALYTICAL METHOD
This method deals with the way the political scientists analyze different political institutions
and their programs. It dissects a political entity by making a detailed study of each part to
show their interrelation.
9. BEHAVIORAL METHOD
This method seeks to study the political behavior of the people, public officials and
candidates for government positions.
10. MATHEMATICAL METHOD
This is considered the latest method in the study of political Science. The enormous mass of
data in numbers which a political researcher has to compile in the course of his investigation
requires an immense knowledge of mathematics.