Running Head: RELEVANCE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

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Discussion: The Relevance of Political Science

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Relevance of Political Science

Political science is the study of a wide range of political actions, ideas, institutions and

events. It encompasses both understanding of the world of politics surrounding us. Nearly

everyone participates in politics, in one way or the other. Though, most of the time we

participate unknowingly, hence making critics to rule out the relevance of political science in the

society. For example, every day we listen to news, talk to family and friends regarding societal

values and social issues like healthcare, education, jobs and others. Everyone wants a good

government that cares for basic needs such as housing, health and education (Holmberg &

Rothstein, 2012). The discipline is concerned with the various organizations and institutions and

the ethics and norms that determines how different people perceive the society, and resultantly

how they interact with it.

Political science as a discipline serves to deepen one’s knowledge and understanding of

most powerful forces operating on communities, corporations and people around the world. This

includes but not limited to politics and policies in the United States and the rest of the world

(Stoker et al, 2015). This particular knowledge is crucial for every citizen. Studying political

science broaden enables one to understand the distribution of power, how different government

across the world operate and interact and how laws are made and implemented. You will explore

the players in politics such as the public, politicians and international organizations and the

processes of public administration, political institutions and elections. Politics is an aspect that

affects almost every aspects of our lives, including the availability of housing, jobs, education,

and healthcare. Stability of a country in terms of peace or war heavily depend of government

operations and who support radical groups.

Political science discusses the basic concepts like “democracy” and “power” so as to get

learners thinking about the world as well as our position and role in it. After studying the various
Relevance of Political Science

concepts, we learn the relation between them to better understand the political impacts and

outcomes, such as why people prefers one political party over the other or why citizens vote for

one candidate and not the other. Other important concepts that we study in political science is the

reason why forms of government and policies differs from once country to the other and the

causes of armed conflicts occurs in some regions while they are mitigated in some places.

The discipline is also important in various careers today. Business managers and

executives, for example, need to understand the potential trajectory of the politics as well as the

policy in the U.SA, Europe and China and other parts of the world to enable them make sound

investment decisions. Political science uses various approaches, hence trains on different critical

skills that enables a student to succeed in nearly any career he or she in venturing in. Nearly all

attractive jobs around requires one to possess writing and argumentative skills which are taught

in political science. The ability to assess statistical argument is essential in life today. Political

theory aspect train one on analytical thinking, which is an important skills in nearly all good

careers in the world.

While a number of professions such as law requires one to get postgraduate training from

a professional institution, political science equips one with intellectual skills which are important

foundation for future success. It is not surprising to find political science graduates succeeding in

various organizations and professions such as business and law. Managers and CEOs of many

successful companies or organizations are political science majors. Others develops fascinating

interest in government that they decide to join government services and related careers.
Relevance of Political Science

References

Holmberg, S., & Rothstein, B. (Eds.). (2012). Good government: The relevance of

political science. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Stoker, G., Peters, B. G., & Pierre, J. (Eds.). (2015). The Relevance of Political Science.

Palgrave Macmillan.