As we begin our study of American Government
and Politics, it is important that we begin
with a basic understanding of the field of
Political Science. This presentation will
define political science, then we will discuss
some underlying topics and questions that
political scientists deal with as a part of
their academic and professional lives. Lastly,
we will look at some specific areas of employment
that students of political science often find
themselves engaged in as a part of their professional
career paths. When you have finished reviewing
this presentation, please be sure to complete
the short quiz as an opportunity for extra
credit. You may take this quiz as many times
as you need to until you are satisfied with
your results.
Your textbook defines political science as:
The systematic study of the ways in which
ideas, individuals, and institutions gain
power and shape political outcomes.
Students and authorities in the field of political
science seek to gain an understanding of political
ideologies, institutions, policies, processes
and behavior as well as an understanding of
groups and societal classes, and formal governmental
institutions as well as a number of additional
topics including diplomacy, law, strategy,
and war.
As with any physical or social science, students,
researchers, and practitioners are drawn by
questions of interest and research. Political
scientists are often attracted to questions,
like:
How do people gain and exercise power?
How can individuals, groups, and countries,
get along together and what happens when they
don't?
Why do countries fight wars and how can they
avoid them?
Why are some individuals, classes, and countries
rich? while others live in poverty?
How can we encourage citizens to actively
participate in their democracy? and what happens
when they don't?
How do politicians and governmental institutions
choose and implement policy? and what specific
services do they provide?
How are governments and their policies funded?
and how do institutions and agencies administer
and account for those funds?
And lastly, What does it mean to act ethically
in politics?
The area of political theory focuses on the
writings and theoretical research efforts
of political philosophers. Those who study
and specialize in this field focus their attention
on the study of human nature and human behavior,
moral purposes and needs for governance, and
forms of political participation. While this
field is very theoretical in nature, it forms
the foundation of many other areas of specialty
and research in political science.
Comparative politics studies the diversity
of governmental systems on an international
basis. It focuses on evaluating, comparing,
and contrasting governmental systems around
the world while also studying human rights
issues, levels of democratic participation,
systems of selecting leaders, and lawmaking
bodies on a global scale.
While comparative politics focuses on comparing
formal governmental institutions from around
the world, the field of international relations
studies the interrelationships between nations,
including diplomacy, aggression and response
to aggression, root causes of war and peace,
the use of militaries, state and non-state
actors, and national and international security
issues.
Perhaps the most recognizable field of political
science is that of American Government and
Politics. Students, researchers, and practitioners
in this field seek an understanding of politics
as practiced in the United States. In addition
to giving attention to the American presidency,
the U.S. Congress, and the courts, this field
also studies such topics as the political
role of mass media, the politics of race and
ethnicity, constitutional law, policy formation,
state politics, and American political thought.
Students and practitioners of political methodology
and research are concerned with the philosophical
bases of political science, social science,
empirical research design and analysis, and
practical field research experience and tend
to be the "geeks" of the political science
field because of their heavily data-driven
and statistical orientation.
They tend to focus on activities such as polling,
predicting political outcomes, studying factors
that motivate and dissuade voters from selecting
candidates, factors leading to and inhibiting
voter participation, and other specialized
scientific quantitative research projects.
With its focus on probability, statistics,
and "big" data, this field is in high demand.
Public administration is the branch of political
science that specializes in preparing individuals
for roles in public leadership and management.
Public administrators study and implement
the "nuts and bolts" of organizing and leading
government and non-profit agencies at a local,
state, and national level. This field prepares
students to become professionals and practitioners
of government work and administration. A master
of public administration degree, often referred
to as an "MPA," is the public-sector equivalent
to someone who has a Master of Business Administration
degree, or "MBA," in the private business
sector. Many practitioners of public administration
have both their MPA and MBA degrees.
National Security studies is really the "new
kid on the block" and is a relatively new
area of concentration when compared to others
in the Political Science field.
This field of study focuses on preparing military
and civilian professionals and agencies with
research-based techniques for dealing with
domestic and international terrorism, military,
and national defense related threats.
As with any academic field, the really big
question for students is most likely "So can
I get a job after I earn my degree?" While
political science or public administration
degrees may not sound as "sexy" as those in
business, engineering, or computer science,
there are a number of rewarding career opportunities
for those who earn degrees in political science
and public administration. Some of the more
popular and rewarding career fields best associated
with political science and public administration
include:
Law, Government service (at the municipal,
state, and national levels), Agency leadership
and Institutional Systems, Policy analysis,
Government Accounting and Finance, Journalism,
Graduate school and advanced studies in political
science, finance, accounting or public administration,
Academic Research and, of course, Teaching.
