Is political science a social science or humanities? This question has been a topic of debate among scholars and academics for many years. The classification of political science into either the social sciences or humanities has significant implications for its methodologies, objectives, and the way it is taught and studied. In this article, we will explore the characteristics of both social sciences and humanities, and discuss why political science can be considered as a part of both disciplines.
The social sciences are disciplines that use empirical methods to study human behavior and social phenomena. They aim to understand the social world through systematic observation, data collection, and statistical analysis. Examples of social sciences include sociology, psychology, economics, and anthropology. On the other hand, the humanities are disciplines that focus on the study of human culture, history, and literature. They emphasize critical thinking, interpretation, and the analysis of texts and artifacts. Examples of humanities include philosophy, history, literature, and art history.
Political science shares some characteristics with both social sciences and humanities. Firstly, it employs empirical methods to study political behavior, institutions, and processes. Political scientists use surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis to understand how individuals and groups make political decisions. This aspect of political science aligns with the social sciences’ focus on empirical research and data-driven analysis.
Secondly, political science is deeply rooted in the humanities. It examines the historical development of political systems, ideologies, and theories. Political scientists analyze political texts, such as speeches, laws, and treaties, to understand the motivations and intentions of political actors. This emphasis on critical thinking and interpretation is characteristic of the humanities.
However, the classification of political science as a social science or humanities is not straightforward. One reason for this is the interdisciplinary nature of political science. It draws on concepts and methodologies from both disciplines. For instance, political scientists use game theory, a mathematical approach, to analyze strategic interactions in politics, which is a social science technique. At the same time, they also engage in normative analysis, which involves evaluating the morality and justice of political practices, a characteristic of the humanities.
Another reason for the debate is the differing perspectives on the purpose of political science. Some scholars argue that political science should focus on understanding political phenomena through empirical research, which is a social science approach. Others believe that political science should prioritize the analysis of political values and norms, which is a humanities approach.
In conclusion, political science can be considered as both a social science and a humanities discipline. Its use of empirical methods and focus on understanding political behavior aligns with the social sciences, while its emphasis on critical thinking and interpretation of political texts and history aligns with the humanities. The interdisciplinary nature of political science and the differing perspectives on its purpose contribute to the ongoing debate about its classification. Ultimately, the classification of political science may not be as important as the value it brings to understanding the complexities of human political behavior and institutions.
