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Traditional view of Political Science was unable to present any general principle of politics, because it was explanatory, formal and ethical. As a result, need for a new concept was felt. A new, wider and realistic approach for Political Science arose after the Second World War, which was known as modern view of Political Science.

Modern political thinkers have included psychological principles along with realistic and data – based study of human behaviours, power, influence, decision – making process and data-based study. Catlin, Lass well, Merriam, Max Webber, Russell and Margenthau are included among the supporters of modern view.

Definition of Political Science: Modern View

1. Political Science is the study of human activities: 

Modern political thinkers consider Political Science to be a science that studies political activities of man and social, economic and other aspects of human life. According to Catlin, “Political Science is study of organised human society and it deals primarily with political aspects of the life of the community".

2. Political Science is the study of power: 

Modern political thinkers consider power as the basic unit of Political Science. According to Catlin, “Political Science is the science of power.” 

3. Political Science is the study of political system: 

Political system is a comprehensive concept. It includes both the formal structures of governance, as well as informal elements that influence the governance. According to thinkers like David Easton and Almond, “Political Science is study of whole political system.” 

4. Political Science is the study of policy making and decision – making process: 

Some behaviourist thinkers consider Political Science as subject of study of policy, decision and decision making. According to Lasswell, “Political Science is science of policy making.”

Nature of Political Science: Modern View

 Supporters of modern view consider Political Science as a science. According to them, Political science is basically a social science and it has all the elements of science. Merriam gave emphasis in his writings that it was the greatest need of the time to use scientific techniques and methods in Political Science. According to Catlin and Harold Lowell, “Political Science is basically a science ajid it is related to scientific analysis of political organisations.”

Scope of Political Science: Modern View 

Modern view of Political Science has provided comprehensiveness to the scope of Political Science. Now political processes are also studied in Political Science along with state and government. It studies both the political as well as non – political elements that affect the political behaviour of man.

Mathematical and statistical approaches are now being used. Political Science is now given such a wide scope that not only the state, but also the society is included in Political Science. Political science is now being studied as a policy – making science. It has become a study of power. As a result, scope of Political Science has become widened.

Main features of modern view of Political Science are as follows: 

1. Human behaviour, power, influence, decision making, reason, experiential based, relevant and data – based study and psychological theories are included in Political Science. 

2. It holds a dynamic view of Political Science as it gives emphasis on practical aspect. 

3. This view studies the non – formal side of politics as it follows psychological and social science methods. 

4. It uses empirical study. 

5. It wants to develop experience-based, objective and realistic approach to Political Science. 

6. It studies universal Political Science. 

7. It wants to develop unity of social sciences through inter – disciplinary approach.

This statement is by Myron and Benfield.

Scholars lack unanimity about the nature of Political Science. Some consider it as a science, while some others doubt its scientific aspect and consider it as an art.

Political Science as a science: 

Political Science is termed as a science. Though, it is not a science as are other natural sciences, but it is social science. Famous scholar Aristotle termed it as “the best science”. Systematic and judicious study of any subject is called science. It will be a radical view not to consider Political Science as a science. 

It can be termed as a science on the following basis :

1. Systematic and organised knowledge: 

Science is systematic, organised and categorised. Political Science explains the state, government, political organisations, concepts, etc. in the same way. It explains the origin and development in the same way. It also explains the origin and development of state in a systematic manner – as Doesscience. Data and facts are also used for this purpose. 

2. Observation and experiments are possible: 

As Political Science is a social science, laboratory experiments are not possible like natural sciences, still some experiments are possible. For example, it has been derived on the basis of experiments that democracy is a must for the establishment of fundamental duties of citizens. In the same way, it can be concluded on the basis of domain of state, that it is better to follow the policy of welfare state than to limit the domain of state. 

3. Acceptable universal methods and conclusions are possible: 

Universal methods and conclusions can be derived in Political Science also. Ancient Indian thinker Kautilya and Greek philosopher Aristotle had evolved some common principles and conclusions that are relevant even to this day. The statement of Lord Acton has got universal acknowiedgement that, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” In the same way, this fact is also acknowleged that economic freedom is as necessary as political freedom for the all – round development of an individual. 

4. It is possible to establish cause – effect relationship: 

Some scholars are of the view that since it is not possible to establish cause-effect relationship in Political Science, it is not a science. But the reality is that there is always some reason behind every happening and change. For example, this can be concluded on the basis of the study of the different revolutions in the world that revolutions took place because of the public dissatisfaction aroused from proud and uncaring behaviour of the rulers, incompetent governance, social discrimination, political and economic corruption, etc. 

5. Predictions are possible: 

It is not possible to predict accurately and absolutely in Political Science as in natural science, but it is possible to predict like weather forcast in meteorology. Exit polls are also able to predict election results.

Political Science as an Art: 

Political Science can be an art by nature. Two features are necessary for any subject to be an art. First is – possibility of applying the theoretical knowledge of the subject in practice. Second – The subject should be value-based to make life more happy. Political Science has both these features. So, it is an art also. Ancient Indian thinkers had considered Political Science as an art, whereas Plato described Political Science as an art of governance. 

Political Science uses its theoretical knowledge for the art of governance and in order to execute its policies through administrative organisations. The main purpose behind all these efforts is to make human life beautiful, valuable and complete. It not only studies how the life was in the past, but it also studies the present life and how life would be in the future. It makes a lot of practical efforts to incorporate these values and ethics. In this regard also, this is an art. 

Political Science is both an art and a science: 

Political Science is both an art as a well as science by nature. Though it is not a natural science, it is a social science. It is an art by its purpose and works. It is data – based and value -based. It has the features of both an art and a science. When Political Science studies its subject matter theoretically, its a science; but when it applies these principles for increasing the comfort of human life, it becomes an art. In this way, Political Science is both an art as well as a science.

Aristotle considerd Political Science as a ‘complete’ or Paramount science.

Bluntschli, Garner, Garris, Gettle, etc.

• Realistic study 
•  Behaviourism.

(d) All of these

• Study of political behaviour of man 
•  Study of different concepts.

According to Garner, “Political Science begins and ends with the state.”

“Political Science starts with the state and ends with the state.” This definition is given by Garner.

Modern behaviourist scholars consider Political Science as a science which performs the study of the political activities of man and its other aspects like social, economic and other sides. According to these scholars, Political Science performs the study of political behaviour of man. According to Caltin, “Political Science is study of organised human society and it deals primarly with political aspect of the life of community.”

The most significant feature of behaviourism is the ‘use of principles’.

According to Lasswell and Kaplan, “Political Science is the study of shaping and sharing of power.”

• Catlin 
•  Lasswell.

Traditional thinkers consider Political Science as a subject that performs the study of state, government and man.

(c)  Leacock

Concept of power is as ancient in Political Science as is political thought, but modern political scholars consider power as basic element of Political Science. Catlin, Lasswell, Max Webber, Merrian, Russel, etc, scholars consider power as such a basic element that binds the Political Science in one string.

Catlin has considered Political Science as a science of power. According to Lasswell, “The concept of power is the most fundamental in the whole Political Science, while political process is study of distribution, use and effect of power.” In this way, concept of power is studied in Political science in the form of a basic and fundamental concept.

• Catlin 
•  Juvinell.

According to Lasswell, “Political Science is the science of policy-making”.

In two parts : 

• Traditional Political Science 
•  Modern Political Science.

• David Easton 
•  Almond.

• Lasswell 
• Catlin.

Catlin has considered Political Science as the science of power.

• Buckle 
•  Comte 
• Beard 
•  Burke

(a) Herbert Simon

Plato is the writer of ‘Statesman’.

(b)  Aristotle

A more practical and expanded view of Political Science emerged in the field of Political Science after Second World War which was known as the modern view of Political Science. Main supporters of modern view of Political Science are Catlin, Lasswell, Robert A. Dahl and Fromen, etc. 

Following topics are included in the modern view of scope of Political Science:

1. Study of political behaviour of man. 

2. Study of various concepts. 

3. Study of struggle and consent in view of public problems. 

4. Inter-disciplinary study. 

5. Study of political processes. 

6. Study of power. 

7. Use of scientific methods.

This statement is given by Maitland.

(d) All these

(c) Political science lacks universally acceptable concepts.

• Observation and experiements like science are not possible 
• Lack of universally acceptable concepts

According to Garner, “Science is the knowledge related to a subject, which is formally obtained through observation, experience and study, and whose facts are mutually related, ordered and classified.”

Political scholars like Bodin, Hobbes, Montesque, Brice, Laski, Fines, Bluntschli, etc. consider Political Science as a science. Famous thinker Aristotle has called it the supreme science. The main argument of the scholars who considier Political Science as a science is that Political Science is basically a social science and it has all the features of being a science. It is wrong to compare it with natural sciences. 

Following arguments can be given in favour of Political Science being a science:

• Observation and experiments are possible. 
• Scientific methods are used. 
•  Presence of universally acceptable concepts. 
• Systematic and organised study. 
• Possible to establish cause-effect relationship.
•  Predictions are possible.

• Systematic and organised study 
•  Relationship between cause – effect