Political science
Political science is the study of
politics. It involves the study of structure and process in
government - or any equivalent system that attempts to assure safety, fairness, and
closure across a broad range of risks and access to a broad range of commons for its human charges. Accordingly, political scientists may study social institutions such as
corporations,
unions,
churches, or other
organizations whose structure and process approach that of government in complexity and interconnection.
The term "political science" was first coined in
1880 by
Herbert Baxter Adams, a professor of history at
Johns Hopkins University.
What political scientists do
Political scientists study the allocation and transfer of power in decision making. Because of the complex interaction of often conflicting interests, political science is often an applied instance of game theory.
Political science seeks both to advance positive theses, by analyzing the politics, and to advance normative theses, by making specific policy recommendations. Political scientists measure the success of governance and specific policies by examining many factors, including stability, justice, material wealth, and peace. While historians look backward, seeking to explain the past, political scientists try to illuminate the politics of the present and predict those of the future.
The study of political science is complicated by the frequent involvement of political scientists in the political process, since their teachings often provide the frameworks within which other commentators, such as journalists, special interest groups, politicians, and the electorate analyze issues and select options. Political scientists may serve as advisors to specific politicians, or even run for office as politicians themselves.
Fields of political science
Comparative government is the comparison of different forms of government in different settings. International relations focuses on the study of the dynamics of relations between states. The complex interplay of economic and political choices is reflected in the field of political economy, where economics and political science overlap.
In the United States, political scientists look at a variety of data including elections, public opinion (on matters ranging from Social Security reform to foreign policy), institutional roles (how the U.S. Congress acts, where congressional power gravitates, how and when the Supreme Court acts, or does not act, etc.).
See also
\n* list of literature on political science\n* Tactical politics
Topics
\n* International relations\n** International organization\n** anti-globalization movement\n** Globalization\n* Political science (General)\n** Political scientists\n** Politics\n* Political theories\n** Theories of state\n*** Absolutism\n*** Anarchism \n*** Anarcho-capitalism\n*** Anarcho-communism\n*** Capitalism\n*** Communism\n*** Conservatism\n*** Corporatocracy \n*** Crypto-anarchism\n*** Democracy\n*** Despotism\n*** Dictatorship\n*** Eudemonism\n*** Fascism\n*** Liberalism\n*** Libertarianism\n*** Libertarian socialism\n*** Kinism\n*** Marxism\n*** Minarchism\n*** Monarchy\n*** Nationalism\n*** Nazism\n*** Nonviolence\n*** Oligarchy\n*** Patriotism\n*** Populist\n*** Radical centrist politics\n*** Republicanism\n*** Socialism\n*** Sovereignty\n*** Syndicalism/Anarcho-syndicalism\n*** Totalitarianism\n** Gender-Based Ideologies\n*** Masculism\n*** Feminism\n** Political philosophy\n*** The justification of the state\n*** The Divine Right of Kings\n*** Consequentialist justifications of the state\n*** Social contract theories\n*** The purpose of government\n*** Family/State paradigm\n***Forms of state\n** Theories of Political Behavior\n*** The Kyklos\n*** Collective action\n*** Ochlocracy\n*** Psychohistory\n*** Psychodynamics of Decision-making\n** Political Theorists\n* State\n** Forms of government\n*** Parliamentary system\n*** Presidential system\n*** Semi-presidential system\n*** Republic\n**** Classic definition of republic\n*** Monarchy\n*** Mayor-council government\n*** Council-manager government\n** Political Entities\n*** Business improvement district\n*** City\n*** County\n*** Country\n*** Government\n*** Municipality\n*** Non-governmental organization\n*** Off-budget enterprise\n*** Quasi-autonomous non-government organisation\n*** Republic\n*** Residential community association\n*** Special-purpose district\n*** State\n*** Township\n** Three powers of the State\n*** Executive power\n*** Legislative power\n*** Judicial power\n** Three branches of government\n*** Executive branch\n*** Legislative branch\n*** Judicial branch\n** Political party\n*** Political parties of the world\n* Law\n** International law\n* Elections\n** Bioregional democracy\n** Electoral Reform\n** Initiative\n** Proportional representation\n** Representative recall\n** Referendum\n** Tactical voting\n** Voting systems\n** Party system\n* People\n**Monarch\n**President\n**Prime Minister\n**Judge\n**Legislator\n**Congressman\n**Counselor\n**Voter\n* Miscellaneous\n** Adam Smith rule\n** British politics\n** Centralization\n** Civil Society\n** Collective Intelligence\n** Common Good\n** Corporate police state\n** Crony capitalism\n** Decentralization\n** E-democracy\n** European Union\n** Exceptionalism\n** Federal grant\n** Police\n** Political spectrum \n** Politics of FDA dietary recommendations\n** Policy Analysis\n** Political change\n** Propaganda\n** Systematic political science\n** U.S. Politics
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