Difference between traditional and modern views of Political Science:
1. Differences of Definitions:
Traditional thinkers consider Political Science as a study of state and government. As Garner has written, “Political Science begins and ends with the state”. In contrast to this, modern thinkers are of the view that Political Science is study of man’s political behaviour. As lass well and Kaplin have said, “Political Science is the study of shaping and sharing of power”.
2. Difference in Nature:
Traditional thinkers of Political Science consider it as an ‘Art’ and give emphasis on ‘should be’. As Buckle believed, “In the present situation of knowledge Political Science far from being a science, it is the most lacking Art”. Since ages, Manu, Kautilya, Shukra, etc. Indian political thinkers had defined it as an art of governance. Ancient Greek thinkers like Plato also considered it as an art of government, whereas modern political thinkers consider Political Science as science and lay emphasis on relavant, data-based objective and mathematical study.
3. Differences in study methods:
Traditional Political Science uses philosophical, historical and comparative methods for study. These methods are old and unrefined. On the other hand, study of modern Political Science uses statistical experiential – based and inter-disciplinary methods. Modern political thinkers analyse and predict man’s political behaviour and experienced truths related to it.
4. Differences regarding values:
Traditional view of Political Science is free of values. It is affected by subjective and individual approach. Traditional thinkers believed in ethics and morality. Whereas, modem view of Political Science gives no emphasis on it. According to modern view, political thinkers keep themselves separated from morality, values, ethics and prejudices and carry on research using scientific methods.
5. Differences in Aim and Purpose:
Purpose of traditional Political Science is achievement of good life. On the other hand, purpose of modern political science is not achievement of good life, but it is to explain the political happenings in their real perspective. Modern political thinkers are of the view that a political thinker cannot be a passive onlooker, but he has to try to solve the problems.
6. Differences in scope:
Under traditional Political Science, present, past and future of a state is studied, along with organs, methods and responsibilities of governments. Whereas, modern political thinkers do not study institutions, rather they study methods. They like to study who makes the law, who decides to make laws and the real process of law – making, rather than studying the executive or parliament.
FAQs
Even now political researchers adhere to traditional approach for understanding issues of government and politics which shows significance of traditional approach. The modern approach is fact based and lays emphasis on the factual study of political phenomenon to arrive at scientific and definite conclusions.
What is the difference between traditional view and modern view of politics and political science? ›
Traditional thinkers believed in ethics and morality. Whereas, modem view of Political Science gives no emphasis on it. According to modern view, political thinkers keep themselves separated from morality, values, ethics and prejudices and carry on research using scientific methods.
What are the differences between traditional and modern approaches? ›
Overall, the key differences between traditional and modern approaches to conflict transformation lie in their emphasis on culture, the recognition of core and peripheral conflicts, the interconnectedness of thoughts and actions, and the incorporation of interdisciplinary perspectives.
What is the difference between modern and traditional comparative politics? ›
Broadly speaking, there are generally two approaches to study comparative politics. These are Traditional and Modern approaches of comparative politics. The traditional approaches are mostly legal, institutional, historical, descriptive in nature, while the modern approach is scientific, rational and analytical.
What is traditional view in political science? ›
The traditional approach is value based and lays emphasis on the inclusion of values to the study of political phenomena. The adherents of this approach believe that the study of political science should not be based on facts alone since facts and values are closely related to each other.
What is the modern view of political science? ›
Political Science, traditionally, begins and ends with the state. So considered, it is the study of the state and government. The modern view of Political Science lays emphasis on its being the study of power and authority. Political Science also explains its ever-widening scope.
What is modern perspective of political science? ›
Broadly speaking, modern or contemporary approaches to the study of politics signify a departure from traditional approaches in two respects: (a) they attempt to establish a separate identity of political science by focusing on the real character of politics; and (b) they try to understand politics in totality, ...
What is a major difference between traditional and more modern societies? ›
while the traditional society is characterized by ritual, custom, collectivity, the modern society is characterized by rise of science, emphasis on reason and rationality, belief in progress etc.
Who distinguished between modern and traditional societies? ›
Eisenstadt (1966) or A. Inkeles (1969), had cast the first stone of a modernisation theory on historical development that distinguished two kinds of social systems : a traditional and a modern one, the latter clearly referring to western societies.
What are traditional approaches? ›
Traditional approaches rely on formal pedigrees for establishing the validity of rules, or for explaining their normative force. For this purpose, rules are traced back to a set of formal sources.
political science, the systematic study of governance by the application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis. As traditionally defined and studied, political science examines the state and its organs and institutions.
What is the difference between traditional and political economy? ›
The political economy depicts a distinct and competing approach. The traditional economics refers to the economic system in which the tradition, customs, and faith support form the goods and service of the economy produce as well as the way and laws of the distribution.
What is the traditional meaning of comparative politics? ›
Definition. Comparative politics is the systematic study and comparison of the diverse political systems in the world. It is comparative in searching to explain why different political systems have similarities or differences and how developmental changes came to be between them.
What are the main features of modern political theory? ›
Secularism: The modern political theory separates the religion from the state. National State: The modern political theory argues that the state is a national asset, which belongs to each citizen. National Sovereignty: According to the modern political theory, the sovereignty of the nation is the utmost priority.
What is political science both in its traditional and modern meaning discuss briefly? ›
Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and laws.
What is a traditional view? ›
meanings of traditional and view
following or belonging to the customs or ways of behaving that have continued in a group of people or society for a long time ... See more at traditional. view. noun. /vjuː/us.
What is the difference between political science and politics? ›
Actually there is some difference between the two words. Political science deals with the science of politics. On the other hand, politics refers to the affairs of the state. This is the main difference between political science and politics.
