Traditional Perspective of Political Science | definitions | Salient Features

The Traditional or classical perspective of Political Science refers to the diverse thought systems developed in the ancient ages from 16th Century B.C. till the end of the Second World war. It covers the political ideas of a very large number of Greek and Roman Philosophers / thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Saint Augustin, Saint Aquinas, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel Green, etc.

Salient Features of Traditional Political Science:

Traditional political science is the study of politics through a historical, philosophical, and legal lens. It's often referred to as the "old" or "classical" approach to the discipline, contrasting with the more modern, scientific approach.

Its key features are as follows: -

1. Influenced by Philosophy –

Traditional political science is heavily rooted in political philosophy, drawing from the works of ancient thinkers like Plato and Aristotle and modern philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. It focuses on what "ought to be" rather than what is. The primary goal is to understand the ideal state, the best form of government, and the moral purpose of political institutions. It's a quest for universal truths and an exploration of concepts like justice, liberty, and rights, all from a philosophical standpoint.

2. Major methodologies of study are Historical, Normative (Idealistic), Descriptive and Comparative –

Traditional political science doesn't rely on empirical data or statistics. Instead, it uses a few key methodologies:

1. Historical: This method involves studying the evolution of political institutions and ideas over time. By looking at the past, scholars seek to understand how and why things are the way they are today. For example, they'd study the historical development of the British parliamentary system.

1. Normative (Idealistic): This approach, as mentioned earlier, is all about values and ideals. It focuses on what's right or wrong, good or bad, and seeks to prescribe the best political system or policy.

1. Descriptive: This method simply describes political institutions and events without much analysis or explanation. A study of the structure of the U.S. Congress, for instance, that simply lists its powers and committees, would be considered descriptive.

1. Comparative: This involves comparing different political systems or institutions to highlight similarities and differences. A classic example is comparing the presidential system of the United States with the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom.

3. Value-Based and Subjective Study –

Traditional political science is fundamentally value-based, meaning it's not concerned with separating facts from values. Scholars often make moral judgments about political systems. Because of this, it's also subjective. The conclusions reached are often influenced by the personal beliefs, values, and perspectives of the researcher. This stands in stark contrast to the "value-free" approach of modern political science, which aims for objectivity and neutrality.

4. Institutional and Legal Framework –

The primary focus of traditional political science is on formal institutions and legal structures. It examines the state, government, legislatures, and courts, as well as constitutions and laws. It largely ignores the informal aspects of politics, such as the behaviour of individuals, political parties, or interest groups. The study of politics is essentially the study of formal governmental and legal bodies.

5. Majorly study was narrow in scope –

Traditional political science is criticized for its limited and narrow scope. It predominantly focuses on formal political institutions of Western, democratic countries. It pays little attention to political behaviour, non-governmental actors, or the politics of developing nations. It also tends to focus on the structure of government rather than the societal forces that influence it. This narrow focus led to a movement to expand the discipline's scope in the mid-20th century, which gave rise to modern political science.

Definitions of Traditional Political Science:

1. Political Science is the Study of State.

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

1. According to Bluntschli, “Political Science is the science which is concerned with the state, which endeavours to understand and comprehend the state in its fundamental conditions, in its essential nature, its various from of manifestations, its developments.

2. Political Science is the study of Government.

1. According to Seeley, “Political Science investigates the phenomenon of Government as political economy, deals with wealth, biology with life, algebra with numbers and geometry with space and magnitude.

1. According to Leacock, “Political Science deals with government.”

3. Political Science is the study of both State and Government.

1. According to Paul Jennet, “Political Science is that part of Social Science which deals with the foundation of the State and principles of government.

1. According to Dimock, “Political Science is concerned with the State and its instrumentality – government.”

1. According to Gilchrist, “Political Science deals with the general problems of the State and Government.

4. Related to Human Element.

1. According to Laski, “the study of politics concerns itself with the life of men in relation to organised state.”

1. According to Hermann Heller, “it may be said that the character of Political Science in all of its parts is determined by its basic pre-suppositions regarding men.

Scope of Traditional Perspective of Political Science:

The traditional perspective of political science focuses on the formal and institutional aspects of politics. This view largely emerged from the works of classical thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Machiavelli, and it dominated the field until the early 20th century.

1. It is a study of State –

This perspective views the state as the central object of political inquiry. It examines the state's origin, nature, purpose, and function. Think of it as a focus on the machinery of governance itself—the laws, constitutions, and institutions that give a state its power and authority. Key questions include: What is the ideal form of a state? What are the rights and duties of the state? How does a state maintain sovereignty? This approach is closely associated with scholars like Bluntschli, who famously defined political science as "the science of the state."

2. It is a study of Government –

While related to the state, the study of government focuses more on the practical organization and operation of power. The government is seen as the active agent of the state. This includes analyzing the various branches of government (legislative, executive, and judiciary), their powers, their relationships, and how they function. This perspective delves into the different forms of government, such as democracy, monarchy, and aristocracy, and the roles of specific officials and political leaders. Sir John Seeley is a prominent figure in this school of thought, seeing political science as "the science of government."

3. It is a study of both State and Government –

Many traditional scholars argued that studying the state and government separately is incomplete. They believed political science should encompass both, as they are two sides of the same coin. The state provides the legal framework and abstract concept of authority, while the government is the concrete, functioning body that exercises that authority. For example, a constitution is part of the state's framework, while the parliament and prime minister are part of the government. Paul Janet and Gilchrist both held this view, recognizing the inseparable nature of these two entities in political life.

4. It is a study of Past, Present and Future –

The traditional approach is not limited to contemporary politics. It is deeply historical, seeking to understand current political realities by examining past political thought, events, and institutions. By studying the works of thinkers like Plato and Rousseau, and the rise and fall of empires, scholars gain insights into political principles that have endured over time. It also aims to understand the present by analyzing current political systems and policies. Finally, it uses this historical and contemporary understanding to speculate on the future of political systems and societies. This is a prescriptive element, where the goal is not just to describe, but also to propose what a good political system should look like.

5. It is a study of human element in the state –

While the traditional perspective is often seen as institutional, it doesn't completely ignore the role of individuals. It acknowledges that the state and government are ultimately composed of and operate for human beings. This aspect focuses on the duties and rights of citizens, and the relationship between the individual and the state. It examines how people's actions and values, their political behaviour, influence the functioning of institutions. For example, it considers the concept of citizenship, and the moral and ethical foundations of political power. This dimension highlights the philosophical underpinnings of political systems, questioning what makes a society just and what responsibilities individuals have within it.

UNESCO Political Science Conference (1949):

According to the report of UNESCO committee for the constitution of International Political Science association, the scope of political science includes broad themes as:

1. Political Theory - History of political theory and ideas and study of present Political ideas.

2. Political Institutions - Constitution, National Government, regional and local government and comparative Political institutions.

3. Political Parties, Political groups and Public opinion.

4. International Relations - International Politics, International Law, International organisations & International administrations.