WikipediaExtracts:Political science
Extracted from Wikipedia --
Political science (sometimes abbreviated as PoliSci or poli sci), also known as the academic field of government (GOVT or Gov), is the scientific study of politics which is a social science dealing with the analysis and implementation of systems of governance and its impact on societies. It deals with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and laws. Specialists in the field, most especially subject-matter experts are known as political scientists.
Unlike political philosophy alone, which is primarily normative and evaluates politics through value judgments, political science emphasizes descriptive and explanatory methods in analyzing phenomena and making policy decisions; it favors empirical evidence over ethical judgments. Modern political science can generally be divided into the major sub-disciplines of political philosophy, political methodology, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy and public administration; though other smaller more specialized and niche subdisciplines exist as well.
Political science emerged as a distinct academic discipline in the late 19th century, influenced by the rise of empiricism and positivism. It emerged from history, philosophy, and law amid university professionalization and the founding of bodies such as the American Political Science Association in 1903. The behavioral revolution of the 1950s played a significant role in shifting emphasis to scientifically explaining human behavior from an unbiased and neutral point of view using quantitative research methods such as surveys, historical analysis, and empirical testing.
