Traditional View:

‘Politics’ word has been derived from the Greek word ‘Polis’, which means ‘City state’. The study or knowledge of city – state and its related life, happenings, activities, behaviour and organisations is politics. 

Political Science is defined into four types according to traditional view:

• As the study of state. 
•  As the study of government. 
•  As the study of state and government. 
• As the study of state, government and man. In the words of Garner, “Political science begins and ends with the state.” 

Traditional thinkers consider Political Science as a subject that studies state, government and man. It is impossible to think about the government in the absence of the state as the government uses the power given by the state. State is an abstract concept without the government and man is the primary unit of the state. So, according to traditional view, Political Science is a study of inter – relationship between State, government and man.

Nature: 

According to traditional view, Political Science is the study of state, government and its organs, and duties of political institutions, man; and inter – relations of man and state. This view is idealistic, philosophical and ethical. This view gives importance to values, morals and ethics.

Scope: 

Scope of Political Science means the extent of its subject matter. Different traditional thinkers and the UNESCO have included the following in the subject matter of Political Science:

1. Study of political life of man. 

2. Study of state. 

3. Study of government. 

4. Study of local, national and international problems. 

5. Study of political parties and pressure groups. 

6. Study of political philosophy and ideologies. 

7. Study of international relationships. 

8. Study of diplomacy. 

9. Study of local government. 

10.Study of international organisations. 

11.Study of international laws.

Modern View Meaning: 

According to modern view, Political Science is related to systematic and organised study of state, government and different aspects and relationships of the society with government. 

According to modern view, Political Science can be defined in four parts: 

• Political Science is study of human activities. 
• Study of Power. 
• Study of political arrangements. 
• Study of decision – making process.

Modern Political Science gives emphasis on study of political behaviour of man, political activities and all those informal aspects that affect politics rather than the study of government and state only. In this way, modern view is more empirical and practical than the traditional view.

Nature: 

According to modern view, political behaviour of man is to be studied in Political Science and all political institutions also are to be studied in realistic aspects.

Scope: 

Modern view, which is wide and practical, came into existence after the Second World war. 

According to this view, following topics are included in the subject matter of Political Science: 

• Study of political behaviour of man 
• Study of political processes 
• Study of power 
•  Inter disciplinary study 
• Use of scientific methods 
• Study of various ideologies and philosophies