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David Easton.

• Regulation 
•  Verfication 
•  Use of Technique 
• Quantification

Meaning of Behaviouralism:

Behaviouralism is a special method of organising and analyzing political facts which was developed after Second World War by American political scholars. Behaviouralism is result of dissatisfaction towards the outcome of traditional approach. Behaviouralism is an intellectual movement in context of various social sciences which aims at making socialistic thinking more experiential, authentic and scientific.

In brief, Behaviouralism is an intellectual approach, a study method, movement and ideology which aims to make Political Science a pure science by studying human behaviour through experiential study based on realistic approach. Reasons of Rise of Behaviouralism.

Following are the reasons of rise of behaviouralism: 

• 1. Dissatisfaction with Traditional Study Methods: There were many shortcomings in traditional approach, so political thinkers were disappointed. There are many reasons for the dissatisfaction with traditional approach. 
• Only politicians were given importance in government policy making and execution. Political scholars and researchers were ignored, 
• Only theoretical and explanatory study was done in traditional approach. There was lack of realistic study 
•  Traditional approach failed to explain the reasons of rise, development and popularity of Fascism, Nazism, racism and Totalitarian approaches 
• Explanatory study method of traditional approach was considered insufficient.

2. Effect of Second World War: 

Catastrophic and destructive happenings of Second World War put a question mark on the very existence of human civilization. Traditional study methods failed miserably in even foretelling about this war. This war inspired political thinkers for new researches and principles.

3. Inspiration from various social sciences: 

Behaviouristic approach and scientific methods had already been used by various social sciences. So, it was not possible for Political Science to remain aloof.

4. Use of New study methods: 

After Second World War, this assumption grew stronger that new study methods should be used in Political Science. Increasing use of new methods, techniques, instruments , research methods, statistical approach, etc. made study of Political Science more realistic and helped Behaviouralism to grow.

5. Rise of New States and Problems of Under – Developed Countries: 

Many countries got freedom after Second World War. It was not possible to know about the real situation by studying through traditional approach the problems, processes and threats of under – developed countries and newly-liberated countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

(b) Post – Behaviouralism

(b) Post – Behaviouralism

Post Behaviouralism is an ideological revolution. This is a reform movement which lays emphasis on action and relevance. Behaviouralists themselves had started questioning the usefulness of behaviouralism before the end of decade of 1960. As a result, a new movement started which was known as post – behaviouralism. PostBehaviouralism is a movement for improvement and a progressive step in Behaviouralism.

This tries to study the problems of society and political system and tries to solve them. Post – Behaviouralism believes thinks that relevance of research is more important than the method of research. David Easton has called it the ‘Theory of relevance or ‘Religion of relevance’. There are two basic features of post – behaviouralism – Action and relevance.

Post – Behaviouralism lays stress on the assumption that research and study of political science should be relevant in context to the real needs of society. Post – Behaviouralism urges the political thinkers to study neutrally and to lead the society, rather than to be indifferent and escapist towards the social and political problems.

Behaviouralism is a method of organizing and analyzing political facts which was developed by political scholars after World War II. Behaviouralism is an intellectual movement under different social sciences which aims at making socialist thinking more experiential, reliable and scientific. This approach concentrates on political behaviour and propounds that scientific study of political activities can be done on the basis of political behaviour of men.

Behaviouralism is experiential and practical. It has no space for values and imaginations. In brief, Behaviouralism is an intellectual approach, a study method, movement and ideology which aims to make Political Science a pure science by studying human behaviour through experiential study based on realistic approach.

(d) Post – Behaviouralism

(b) David Easton

Main features of Behaviouralism are as under: 1. Regulation: 

It means that it is possible to make rules and methods for the study of Political Science. Though human behaviour is changeable and is affected by many factors, but regularization can be found in political behaviour of man. Principles to understand the political behaviour can be made by finding out the regularities of human behaviour through scientific analysis.

2. Verification: 

This is base of scientificness. Behaviouralism is of the view that facts of human behaviour can be verified on the basis of experiential units. The process of re – evaluation and verifying the collected material related to human behaviour is called verification. Rules can be made more authentic by verification.

3. Technique: 

Technique refers to those media by which facts are obtained and analyzed. Behaviouralism gives stress on use of refined techniques in Political Science as it is done in natural sciences, so that relevant, reliable and observable material can be obtained. Behaviouralistic analysis uses the scientific techniques like statistical research, Survey, mathematical representation and interview.

4. Quantification: 

Quantification means the process of purification of collected facts, data and information. Behaviouralism be lieves that quantification is necessary to bring clarity and regularity in the collected information and facts.

5. Systematization: 

Behaviouralism believes that research work should be organised and systematic. There should be co-ordination between reseasch and principle making. Principles based on research must be reliable and scientific. First of all, research should be done, and after that, principles should be made on the results obtained by research.

6. Values: 

Behaviorists keep values and facts apart. They have nothing to do with moral values and ethics. For example: Democracy, Equality and Liberty can be high ideals, but their presence or absence cannot be measured scientifically. Researchers must be indifferent to values for the scientificness and objectivity of research. Only then scientific study can be possible. In this way, Behaviouralism gives importance to value – free approach.

7. Integration: 

This is also called integrity. Man is a social animal. His political behaviour is affected by many economic, social, religious and cultural elements. So, human behaviour must be studied in parts. Human behaviour has certain units. Therefore, study in context of the happenings in the society is compulsory to under – stand political happenings and behaviour.

8. Pure Science: 

Behaviouralism aims to develop Political Science as a pure science because refined science of politics can be effective in solution of political problems. Behaviouralism lays stress on use of refined methods like natural sciences in order to make Political Science a pure science.

(b) Post – Behaviouralists

David Easton has propounded seven assumptions of Post – Behaviouralism which are called principle of relevance.

• Behaviouralism lays stress on facts whereas post – behaviouralism lays stress on the central importance of values 
• Behaviouralism ignores the Principle of relevance whereas post – behaviouralism believes in this principle.

Following are the differences between Behaviouralism & Post – Behaviouralism: 

1. Difference between phases of development: 

Behaviouralism is an intellectual reaction against traditionalism which represents the development of Political Science, whereas post – behaviouralism is an important improvement in behaviouralism.

2. Difference in Nature: 

Basic nature of Behaviouralism is not creative where as post – behaviouralism is creative by nature. It has opposed Behaviouralism and at the same time developed it by new experiments.

3. Difference in Approach: 

Political study of Behaviouralism gives importance only to facts, whereas as post – behaviouralism accepts the importance of both values and facts in the study of Political Science.

4. Difference in Relevance: 

Behaviouralism has ignored the principle of relevance, whereas, post – behaviouralism Believes in principle of relevance.

5. Difference in Assumptions: 

Behaviouralism accepts the basic similarity between Political Science and natural science, whereas post – behaviouralism does not accept this similarity and considers Political Science as a Social Science.

Meaning of Post – behaviouralism Post – behaviouralism is an intellectual revolution. This is a reform movement in Behaviouralism. This gives stress on action and relevance. Behaviouralists themselves had started imposing questions on the usefulness of Behaviouralism even before the end of the decade of 1960. As a result, a new movement took birth which was known as Post – behaviouralism.

Aim of Post – Behaviouralism: 

The main purpose of Post – behaviouralism is that research and study of Political Science should be relevant in context of real needs of society. Post – behaviouralism urges political thinkers to study neutrahy and lead the society, instead of being indifferent to social and political problems and being escapists. 

Reasons of emergence of Post – behaviouralism: 

Post – behaviouralism came into existence due to shortcomings of traditional and Behaviouralism approaches. 

The reasons for the emergence of post – behaviouralism are as follows:

1. Reaction against Behaviouralism: 

Post – behaviouralism movement is a reaction against Behaviouralism. Behaviouralism tried to provide a scientific approach to Political Science, but these efforts were insufficient and incomplete. 

2. Dissatisfaction with study methods: 

It is not right to try to use study methods of natural science in Political Science because nature of man and society is changeable. Thus, it is not possible to study political science as natural sciences and on that criteria. 

3. Distress for Behaviouralistic Research: 

Behaviouralism Research ignores values and gives stress only on facts. Post – behaviouralism believes that values and facts both are useful and relevant. Importance of values in study of Political Science cannot be ignored. 

4. Ignorance of duties towards world humanity:

 At the time, when the behaviouralists were busy in making concepts, models and principles, the world was facing immense social, economical and cultural problems. Behaviouralists were ignorant of these problems. The contemporary society was moving towards division and destruction.

Not only this, Behaviouralism, had not any inkling of problems like Vietnam problem, growing internal chaos in America, Nuclear war, increasing possibilities of dictatorship and population explosion, and thus no efforts were made by them to solve these problems.

Features / Basic Concepts of Post – behaviouralism: 

Features and basic concepts of Post – behaviouralism, are as follows:

• Inference before procedure. 
• Emphasis on social change. 
•  Stress on solution of problems. 
• Important role of values. 
•  Important role of intellectuals. 
•  Emphasis on action. 
• Politicization of professions.

Criticism of Post – behaviouralism: 

Though Post – behaviouralism has provided a new outlook to Political Science by removing the shortcomings of traditional approach and Behaviouralism, yet, it is not free from criticism. 

It is criticized on the following basis: 

1. Post – behaviouralism wants to make study of Political Science value free and realistic along with value based, idealistic and objective, which is not possible. 

2. Post – behaviouralism gives more importance to technique as compared to facts. 

3. Post – behaviouralism seems to be representative of American national interests. 

4. Post – behaviouralism is the representative of only liberal values. 

5. Post – behaviouralism has limited relevance for the third world.

Importance of Post – behaviouralism: 

The importance of Post – behaviouralism cannot be ignored in spite of its many criticisms. It has established a balance between traditionalism and behaviouralism by removing their shortcomings. It represents the balanced and the modern phase of development of Political Science:

• Establishment of new political science. 
• Establishment of new inter – disciplinary approach.

(a) Small units

According to post – behaviouralism, only that knowledge is useful for human society which is based on values.

(b) Post – Behaviouralism

• Stress on social change 
• Action – based science.

David Easton has given 7 features of Post – Behaviouralism.

Differences / Conparison between Behaviouralism & Post – behaviouralism: 

There are following differences between Behaviouralism & Post – behaviouralism:

1. Difference in different phases of development: 

Behaviouralism is an intellectual reaction against traditional political approach.This represents the development of Political Science from traditional approach. Whereas Post – behaviouralism is an important reform in Behaviouralism This represents the development of Political Science from Behaviouralism.

2. Differences in Nature: 

Basic concept of Behaviouralism is not creative, whereas Post – behaviouralism is creative. Post – behaviouralism has never opposed Behaviouralism, rather it has developed Behaviouralism through new experiments.

3. Differences in Assumption: 

Behaviouralism accepts the basic similarity between Political Science and natural sciences. Where as Post-Behaviouralism do not consider Political Science as the same as natural science. They believe Political Science to be a social science. 

4. Differences in Approach: 

Behaviouralism accepts the importance of facts only to study Political Science and ignores values, whereas Post-behaviouralism accepts the importance of both, facts as well as values. 

5. Differences in Relevance: 

Behaviouralism lays stress on the technical purity whereas Post – behaviouralism lays stress on relevance of research along with purity of technique. David Easton has rightly said that Post – behaviouralism believes in theory of relevance but Behaviouralism ignores it. 

To conclude, it can be said that by origin, both Behaviouralism and Post – behaviouralism are given to Political Science American political scholars. Post – behaviouralism is not an opposition movement of Behaviouralism, rather it has developed a more relevant approach in Political Science. Today, the condition of inter – contrast is almost gone. Post – behaviouralism is just an attempt to remove the shortcomings of Behaviouralism.

• David Easton
• Charles Merriam.

• Wrong concept of political behaviour
•  More expensive method 
•  Decorative Terminology.

Post – behaviouralism gives more emphasis on value.

(d) Pure science

(a) Robert A Dahl

(c) Stress on technique

• The Political System’ by David Easton 
• ‘Administrative Behaviour’ by Herbert Simon.

Meaning of Post – Behaviouralism: 

Post – Behaviouralism is an ideological revolution. This is an reform movement which lays stress on action and relevance. Behaviouralists themselves started raising questions on the usefulness of Behaviouralism even before the end of the decade of 1960. As a result, a new movement started that was known as post Behaviouralism This is a movement of reform in Behaviouralism and a progressive step.

This tries to study and solve the problems and threats of society and political system. Post – Behaviouralism lays stress that research and study of Political Science should be relevant in the context of real needs of the society. Post – Behaviouralism urges the political scholars to study by remaining indifferent and being neutral and to lead the society, instead of being escapists and indifferent to social and political problems.

Main features of Post – Behaviouralism: 

The main supporter of post Behaviouralism David Easton has given two main features of Post – Behaviouralism 

•  Relevance of Research 
• Action.

Main features of Post – Behaviouralism are as follows: 

1. Stress on Relevance: 

Technique is not that much important in political science as is the relevance. It is better to do away with research if it is not helpful a solve the social problems. 

2. Stress on social change: 

Behaviouralism always used to emphasize social stability. Thus, it concentrated only on the analysis of facts, but Political Science should be connected with broad social context by turning itself to address social changes. 

3. Need of effective & reliable solution of Problems: 

Post-behaviouralism lay stress on the solution of contemporary social problems. They believe that Political Science is useful only when it solves the social problems. These days, the human civilization is being dragged to destruction due to epidemics, poverty, malnutrition, pollution, fear of nuclear war, etc. In such situation, political science should try to solve such problems. Only then it can be useful. 

4. Important role of Values: 

Post – behaviouralism accept the deciding role of values. Only that knowledge is fruitful for human society which is based on values. Purpose of social science is to shape the best human society. Thus, they must acquire value-based knowledge. 

5. Role of Intellectuals: 

Post – behaviouralism have considered the role of intellectuals in society as an important one. It is their special duty to safeguard human values. They believe that intellectuals should not only be the scientific researchers, but they should also lead the society. 

6. Action based knowledge: 

Post – behaviouralism give stress on action. According to them, Political Science should remain involved in re-construction of society. Knowledge should be practically significant. Researchers should perform such activities which can asist in the resolution of social problems. 

7. Politicization of Professions: 

Post – behaviouralism not advocate passivity of scientists, rather they lay emphasis on their active role. They give stress on the politicization of professions. They believe that scholars should play a positive role in the society, so that purposes of the society may be given an organised and systematic direction.

This is a an ideological revolution. This is an reform movement of behaviouralism which lays emphasis on action and relevance.

Traditionalism represents the classical side of political science, whereas post – behaviouralism represents the development of political science in modern times.

(d) All the above

(c) Practical aspect of knowledge

• Action 
• Relevance of Research.

The main reason of Post – Behaviouralism revolution is great resentment towards the shortcomings of Behaviouralism.

(b) David Easton

‘New Aspects of Politics’ by Charles Merriam, published in 1925, has a special importance in development of written Behaviouralism.

• Reaction against behaviouralism. 
• Indifference of duties to world humanity in traditionalism and behaviouralism.

Post – behaviouralistic thinkers do not advocate the passivity of political scholars, they also inspire them for an active role. They give stress on the politicization of professions. They assert that political scholars should play a positive role in the society, so that an organised and systematic direction can be given to the purposes of the society. Post -Behaviouralism wants to politicise political scholars, educational institutes, groups of intellectuals and universities. Political scholars should play an active role to safeguard human values and to resolve the troubles of the society. For this, politicization of professions is necessary.

Basic assumptions of Post – Behaviouralism: 

1. Gist before procedure:

In Political Science, relevance of research should be more important then technique of research. How much purified the technique may be, if it is not relevant and comprehensible to contemporary social problems, then its useless to work on that research. 

2. Important role of values: 

Post – behaviouralistic accept the important role of values. According to them, only that knowledge is useful for human society which is based on values. Society can be tension free only by considering values as inspirational force for knowledge. 

Post – Behaviouralism. has criticized the concept of value – neutral knowledge by considering it as anti – humanist. The purpose of social sciences is to create an ideal human society. So, they must acquire value – based knowledge.

Graham Wallace and A.F. Bentley

(a) Value determination

(d) Systematization

Research done in whatever way, should be relevant. This is called religion of relevance.

• Unscientific approach
• Representative of American national interests.

Behaviouralism gives importance only to facts and ignores values. So, it is unable to help in policy formation.

(c) A.F Bentley

Main reasons of dissatisfaction with traditional approach & study methods: 

1. Importance of politicians only, for policy – making and governance:

Political thinkers got dissatisfied from traditional study methods and their results by the end of 19th century. Only the politicians were given importance in policy – making and governance. Political institutions and knowledge, skills and experiences of researchers were ignored.

2. Stress on theory only: 

Political thinkers felt that in traditionalism, only theoretical part was emphasized in study which was not reliable. Realistic and practical aspect was missing in study methods. 

3. Unable to explain totalitarian ideologies:

Traditionalism failed to explain the rise and development and popularity of Facisfn Nazism, Racism, Totalitarianism, etc. Not only this, growing communalism was also becoming a threat for libral democracy, and the explanation and solution of totalitarianism was not possible through traditionalism. 

4. Insufficient study methods:

Study method of traditionalism was explanatory. Even after continuous development and popularity of Political Science, the study method which was mainly explanatory, was considered to be insufficient.

5. Increasing curiosity for new and reliable methods and techniques:

Curiosity was increasing for new and reliable methods and techniques because of the development in other subjects like natural sciences and social sciences. It was felt that inter – disciplinary approach was necessary for the existence, preservation and development of Political Science. This fact proved to be an important step for the rise and development of Behaviouralism.

6. Circumstances after Second World War: 

The atmosphere and circumstances which emerged after Second World War, especially in America, made the political thinkers feel that the researches done in western systems, their results and study methods can be useful for a limited area only. It is not possible to know about the real situation of underdeveloped countries and newly – liberated countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America through the traditional method. As a result, study of political system in cultural and international context was considered useful.

Post – behaviouralism