According to Scholars like Leo Strauss, political science is philosophical by nature. We can say that traditionalism is thesis, behaviouralism is antithesis while post behaviouralism is synthesis. What is behavioral approach? 1] Philosophical: Idealism, liberalism, marxism, anarchism, feminism, post modernism are all philosophical, analytical perspectives.2] Empirical: Behavioralism, post behavioralism,3] Historical Approach: Machiavelli, Sabine, Laski. Behavioralists were busy in making political science, pure science. Characteristics of Traditional Approaches: ⚫Emphasis is on the study of different political structures. For PDF, please check out https://products.politicsforindia.com Post behavioralism emerged out of dis-satisfaction from some aspects of behavioralism. A researcher should build use of subtle tools like sample surveys, mathematical models, simulation, etc. It was Machiavelli who strongly advocated the study of history to understand politics. Textual approach goes for literal interpretation. With two months to go until Election Day, he is himself promoting at least nine baseless conspiracy theories. Behavioralists made significant contribution in the field of the analysis of electoral behaviour. 1] Post modernism2] Existentialism. Empirical approach is based on observation. Political Theory: Meaning and Approaches. Hence traditional approach like legal institutional proved inadequate and politics of these countries require field studies. Charles Merriam is called as father of behaviouralism. Understanding processes rather than institutions. Therefore, the institutional approach is concerned with the study of the formal structures like the legislature, executive, judiciary, political parties, and interest groups. Verification: Like scientific theories, pol science theories should also be verifiable, so that a reliable knowledge is developed.Traditionalists continue to believe that verifiability is not possible in all cases. Another characteristic of behaviouralism has been its aim to form political science a “pure science”. Different Types Of Traditional Approaches: This approach considered oldest approach in the arena of Political Science. Behavioralists wanted to make political science ‘pure science’. Considering the state of discipline, attempt was made to revive, to regain the credibility for the discipline by incorporating scientific methods. This approach primarily deals with the formal features and structure of the government and politics accentuates the study of the political institutions and structures. Take a small quiz to check your progress till now. This all process comes to be known as communication process between the system of government. Thus, modern approaches are marked by empirical investigation of relevant data. It means power and power relations. According to the scholars of contextual approach, there is no interpretation which can be called as purely literal interpretation. Every understanding is a misunderstanding. Political philosophy supports establishing a good political order. It was strongly promoted by American political science association. The study of political economy is influenced by game theory,Ga… Let us know. Human language is highly subjective hence there cannot be a consensus even over the terminology. Edward Said’s ORIENTALISM show that the history writing has been a political project.4] Political scholars may not use history in a scientific manner. It was Machiavelli who described ‘politics is an art, political theory is the statecraft or the management of power.’With the emergence of post-modernism it has been realized that political theories are neither philosophy nor science. ⚫ Traditional approaches made very little attempt to relate theory and research. 1] Technique is important but the purpose for which the technique is used is more important. Behaviouralism has first explained human behavior into the field of Political Science and thus makes the study more relevant to society. PSIR 2A: Comparative & International Politics. To provide the model of ideal state for us to strive to achieve. Which of the given approach is best for studying political science? The development of approaches can be traced back to the times of the prominent Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. The relationship between the two disciplines is explained by the scholars as – if history is a root, politics is a shoot. The theories are the results of the thoughts and research of many scholars, thinkers, and exponents of political science. What does the term ‘guilt of historicism’ means? Different demands have different levels of support. On the other hand, behaviouralists suggest to borrow from sociology, psychology and natural science disciplines. This approach helps in predicting future political events and phenomenon. We cannot observe ideas. Most of the political phenomena are indeterminate. Modern Political Economy, on the other hand, studies the work of modern philosophers, economists, and political scientists such as John Maynard Keynes, Milton Freidman, and Friedrich Hayek. When policymakers had to look towards political scholars, it was again found that they had nothing to offer. It is analytical, expository, and descriptive. The various kind of traditional approaches to the study of Political Science have been disapproved for being normative. It means human mind is clean slate. The supporters of this approach were wrong when they said that human beings behave in similar ways in similar situations or circumstances. In Europe, there has been greater emphasis on philosophy. Importantly, Political Theory is the part of Political Science that explores what a better political world would look like and how we can create it. 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