SCIENCE OF POLITICS (POLITICS AS SCIENCE)

Over the years, the nature of political studies has generated intense intellectual controversy, particularly between two major schools of thought: the traditionalists and the behaviorists. At the core of this lies a fundamental question—can politics truly be regarded as a science? While some scholars strongly affirm this position, others remain skeptical, arguing that politics lacks the essential attributes that define scientific inquiry.

To that extent, it is necessary to first understand what science entails. Science is commonly defined as a systematic process involving observation, identification, verification, experimentation, and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena. Simply put, science represents an organized body of knowledge governed by established methods and procedures for discovering truth. Supporting this view, the American humorist Josh Billings (1818–1885) famously described science as “the literature of truth,” emphasizing its commitment to accuracy, consistency, and reliability.

From these explanations, scientific knowledge may be understood as any structured and systematic body of knowledge that focuses on a clearly defined area of inquiry and follows logical and verifiable methods. Science, therefore, is not merely about subject matter but also about method—how knowledge is acquired, tested, and validated.

For a clearer understanding of scientific inquiry, certain assumptions and principles are commonly identified as its defining features.

One of these is observation and empiricism. Scientific knowledge is grounded in what can be observed, tested, verified, and where possible, experimented upon—often within controlled environments such as laboratories. This principle emphasizes reliance on evidence rather than speculation.

Another key principle is value-free inquiry or objectivity. Scientific investigation strives to eliminate personal bias, emotions and subjective judgments in order to ensure accuracy and reliability. Disciplines such as mathematics and statistics exemplify this principle, as conclusions are drawn strictly from data rather than personal opinions.

A further characteristic is the formulation of general laws or generalizations. Science seeks to move from specific observations to broader principles by identifying common patterns and regularities. These generalizations help explain phenomena and, in some cases, predict future occurrences.

Systematization is also central to scientific knowledge. This refers to organizing data and facts into a coherent, orderly, and interrelated body of knowledge. Through comparison and classification, similarities and differences are identified and arranged into a structured framework that enhances understanding.

Finally, science involves the construction of theory. Theories consist of logically connected generalizations that explain events, relationships, and processes, and often attempt to forecast future outcomes. A theory unsupported by empirical data, however, is considered weak or even meaningless within scientific inquiry.

Based on these principles, proponents of political science argue that the study of politics qualifies as a science because it employs many of these scientific methods. Political scientists systematically collect data, conduct empirical research, apply analytical tools, and use observation and logical reasoning to explain political behavior and institutions.

For instance, through observation and data analysis, political scientists examine factors that influence voting behavior during elections. Such behavior may be shaped by ethnicity, ideology, economic incentives, party loyalty, or even monetary inducements. By studying these patterns, political scientists are able to explain and, to some extent, predict electoral outcomes.

Moreover, political science is deeply concerned with the organization and governance of society. It seeks to identify the most effective systems of governance that can promote peace, stability, justice, and harmonious coexistence among individuals. In this sense, political inquiry is both analytical and practical.

In addition, political scientists strive to conduct research that is as objective as possible, minimizing value judgments and personal idiosyncrasies. Through surveys, statistical models, and comparative analysis, political phenomena are studied in ways that mirror scientific investigation.

Furthermore, by applying scientific tools and methodologies, political scientists attempt to develop generalizations and predictions about political behavior, institutions, and processes. This predictive element strengthens the claim that politics possesses scientific qualities.

However, despite these arguments, the conception of politics as a science is not without serious criticisms and limitations.

One major criticism is that human behavior lacks uniformity. Unlike natural phenomena, human beings are unpredictable and capable of altering their behavior at any time. This fluidity makes it difficult to establish fixed laws comparable to those found in the natural sciences.

Secondly, human beings—the central subjects of political study—are not easily subjected to controlled experimentation. Ethical, moral, and practical constraints prevent political scientists from experimenting on humans in the same manner as natural scientists experiment on physical objects or chemicals.

Another limitation is the argument that pure political science is unattainable. Politics is deeply intertwined with values, norms, culture, and ideology, making it difficult to achieve complete objectivity. As a result, some scholars contend that politics cannot be scientific in the strictest sense of the term.

Additionally, deriving universal laws in politics is extremely challenging. Scholars often disagree on fundamental political principles and models. For example, while Aristotle advocated systems such as democracy, aristocracy, and polity, Plato preferred the rule of philosopher-kings. Such disagreements highlight the absence of consensus, which weakens the possibility of universal political laws.

In  the final analysis, political science is regarded as a science primarily because it adopts the methods, procedures, and analytical techniques associated with scientific inquiry. However, its scientific nature is constrained by the complexity and unpredictability of human behavior. Unlike the natural sciences, political science cannot rely solely on experimentation and absolute precision. Consequently, while politics may not qualify as a pure science, it remains a systematic and disciplined field of study that applies scientific methods to the understanding of political life.