Political science studies the history of politics and provides knowledge about government systems. Politics encompasses ideologies and activities associated with improving one’s status or increasing organizational power. The primary reason political science is essential to governments is to create a fully functional system that includes everyone in a country(Stretton, 2013). Additionally, by studying other methods, they can derive a more effective strategy for themselves. In this paper, we will discuss the historical evolution of political science and how governments build functional systems by reviewing the history of how individuals or organizations used to run their governments.
The Birth of Political Science
Aristotle, the father of political science in the twentieth century, arose to replace the ancient development narrative with modern formal explanations. Aristotle and Plato wanted answers to questions that would later become a formalized field of study. Their questions about governance and the ideal state provided a cornerstone of political science. Aristotle believed that a functional government represented the interest of all people from low class to high class. Moreover, he thought that different government forms including monarchy, aristocracy and democracy all should function depending on the circumstances that they were structured they can both be good and bad to the people. Plato had a different ideology from that of Aristotle he had a more romantic version of politics in his work the republic he presented his ideas about the ideal state. Their different opinions about governance provided the image for other philosophers and scholars to join their political thoughts.
Machiavelli and the Renaissance Era
Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian diplomat and philosopher, also joined Aristotle and Plato, providing eye-openers of what a government should look like. Machiavelli believed that political leaders should base their actions on accurately assessing the real world rather than on idealized or moralistic notions. He argued that leaders must be willing to make challenging and sometimes morally questionable decisions to maintain and consolidate their power. This later becomes a cornerstone for a dictatorship government. Moreover, his ideas continue to spark debates and offer valuable lessons for contemporary political thinkers.
Enlightenment and the Birth of Modern Political Science
Early political science and historical developments set the stage for the birth of the modern political era. Their ideas laid the groundwork for the democratic ideals that shape many societies today. Political thinkers in who embraced the transition from early political science like Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu change the political view of traditional authority of absolute mornacy and divine rights to rulers or kings. Moreover, these modern political scientists focused on individual rights, the importance of representative government and the need to limit the powers of rulers.
Contemporary Political Science and Its Relevance
Today political science has evolved into multidisciplinary field that covers not only politics alone but international relations, comparative political and public policy. This expansion reflects the growing complexity of global politics and the need for nuanced analyses to address contemporary challenges. Political scientists play a crucial role in informing policy decisions, fostering democratic values, and contributing to the stability of nations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, political science is a vital and evolving field that delves into the intricate tapestry of politics and government systems. It offers a comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of political thought and the dynamics of power and governance. The foundation of this discipline can be traced back to ancient philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato, whose inquiries into administration and the ideal state laid the cornerstone for systematic political studies.
References
Jochim, J. (2020). From Tyrannicide to Revolution: Aristotle on the Politics of Comradeship. American Political Science Review, 114(4), 1266-1279.
Smith, S. (2019). The Language of” Political Science” in Early Modern Europe. Journal of the History of Ideas, 80(2), 203-226.
Stretton, H. (2013). The political sciences: General principles of selection in social science and history (Vol. 46). Routledge.The political sciences: General principles of selection in social science and history (Vol. 46). Routledge.
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