The Relevance of Political Science

            This post is a summary of four articles. The first with the title above was published at http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/book-review-the-relevance-of-political-science/. The second was published at https://www.reference.com/world-view/importance-studying-political-science-eaedb9432d357260. The third was published at http://political-science.williams.edu/. The fourth was published at https://blog.udemy.com/importance-of-political-science/

           A new collection engages directly with how political science can achieve wider relevance as a discipline. Matt Wood finds the book The Relevance of Political Science a must read for any scholar interested in the impact debate and he welcomes a return to the more social constructivist ideas of impact through teaching and learning. But there is a risk this relevance debate descends into a buzzfeed world of tips. More attention could be spent justifying to society why the theoretical and conceptual work political scientists already do is valuable in any democratic society. According to Stoker, Peters and Pierre in their new edited collection, The Relevance of political Science, quite a lot there is to be said about this 'relevance'. For them, "the key agenda is how best to understand the obstacles that need to be resolved in achieving relevance and the potential for relevance that could thereby be realised". But the key is how to make that relevance less rhetorical and more of an empirical reality. This book helps to highlight the range of answers to the 'how?' question, particularly the relevance of teaching, but could go further in stressing the importance of conceptual and theoretical reflection about politics. The book begins with the core of the problem: How can political scientists, in all their theorical, conceptual and empirical diversity, achieve the perception that they are 'relevant'? The answer is a strongly pluralistic discipline, with a diversity of approaches to relevance. Many recently minted approaches to political science that reject the scientific label often do so for the reason they are criticised, the issue of relevance. Their aim is hence nothing less than putting the 'political' back into political science. "Teaching students to pose questions about social construction, is a especially powerful way to help them become critical thinkers. Whether or not constructivists hold a philosophy of science that gives them a claim to specialist knowledge, they can all teach the broad lesson of posing constructivists questions", said, Craig Parsons. The route to relevance through teaching is perhaps the most traditional concept of relevance. Indeed, if we view impact this way, then arguably the 'alternative' approaches to political science. But in reflecting on the book I want to know why the activities I do as a political scientist genuinely matter to society. in my own work, I am interested in conceptual formulation about understanding and defining concepts in a way that makes them clearer and enables academic work to proceed with rigour and clarity. This book stresses the importance of 'real world problems' driving research. But, which forms of political science research do not address 'problems' in the 'real world'? or rather, are there any researchers out there who principle could not somehow justify their research by resort to an important 'problem', if pushed? The real challenge is to justify why does society actually need theoretically, conceptually and methodologically knowledge about politics rather than simply timely and helpful evidence about what works, from political scientists readily provide? This might seem a daunting question, but it is easily answered. Concepts are critical to the functioning and evolution of social science. Clarity of thought, intellectual willingness to define, delimit and defend one's understanding of a term, or a theory, is a good thing in a democratic society that wants to solve complex problems. We have the unique position of being able to reflect critically on how society understand concepts, theories and empirical data relevant to democratic choices and actions. If we do not offer this reflective capacity by trying to improve how concepts are understood, then we run the risk of merely being in competition with so many other retailers, governments bodies and NGOs who want to brand and market concepts. So, this book is a must read for any scholar interested in the disciplinary debate on relevance. It is crucial intervention to move the relevance debate from 'why' question to the 'how' question of relevance. In doing so, however, this book also distracting from the essentially political project of justifying to society at large why the work we already do has value, because it is intimately valuable in any democratic society that value a deep understanding of the problems society faces.                                            Studying political science is not only useful for employment in governmental or local administration jobs, but for life as well. Studying political science can deepen understanding and knowledge of the way the world works. Political theory is an important basis of humanistic studies, and it has been a concern of intellectuals since the times of Aristotle. Studying political science can prepare one for various careers that require highly developed skills in both analysis and communication. Also, studying political science helps build experience working with diverse communities to accomplish specific goals. It is also requires reading relevant literature and expressing views through writing, these activities help to develop research in critical thinking. Reading through such literature also helps to develop research and analytical skills that are useful to all professions. Studying political science develops the skills of conclusions and making decisions by synthesizing different sets of data. Additionally, it helps the individual to understand and become involved in national and international politics in a more comprehensive way than merely voting in an election.                                     As a social science, political science focuses on group power, he 'how' and 'why' of collective decision-making. Hence it leads us to consider the ethics of power, which in turn involves conceptions of community, identity, justice and citizenship. Under the banner of political science we gather the study of democracy, war, law, rights, wealth, and authority, as well as the institutions that shape and secure them. Power may be used wisely or foolishly, rightly or cruelly, but it is always there. The contests over power and the values that should animate it give politics its drama and pathos. Naturally, then, the effort to understand politics aims not only to describe and explain, but also to improve collective life.

               We, ordinary citizens may know and learn about our political rights and privileges from a given form of government that includes the political structure and processes of state. Without this knowledge we would not know which rights we have and more importantly the battles that were fought in order to award us these rights. As you can see, the study of Political Science is not only useful, it is valuable. Political Science deals with theory and practice of politics, as well as the analysis of political systems, behavior and culture. Economics, Law, Sociology, History, Anthropology are all pieces of the political puzzle. In order for our leaders to make the best possible decisions they must be aware of all developments in each of these areas. You have heard the saying 'Power to the people' before. Well, have you ever stopped to think of how people gain their power? Through knowledge! Share your knowledge with the people  and give them the power to make informed decisions on subjects that may directly or indirectly have an impact on them. The study of political science is especially important to our success as a democracy. People who are informed of their rights and duties are more aware and vigilant. A aware society is one that is more likely to prevent or speak out against things that are unjust. We have to look out for one another, our rights, our freedoms in order for democracy to work.