On Political Science, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Relations.

On Political Science

   I had the good fortune of attending the University of California in Santa Barbara and studying Political Science.  UCSB is what is considered a public ivy because despite its status as a public university it continues to produce nobel prize winning research influencing the future of the world and improving the plight of humanity.  For individuals out there looking for a field of study, I highly recommend political science as a subject matter of high value to any future career and your life as a citizen. Traditionally the subject of political science is divided into the four basic subfields:  political theory, international relations, comparative politics and American politics.  

    Political Theory or political philosophy looks at overarching purposes and theories behind governance.  Political Theory looks at the why's of governance and political behavior.  Studies of Political theory require a look at the greats and survey of the great influences from Socrates to Cicero, Martin Luther to Machiavelli, Marx to Nietzsche, Hegel to Weber, Arendt to Strauss, Washington to Clinton, all in an effort to uncover the best principles of citizenship, the reason for governance and the logic of policy.  "Socratic Citizenship" by Dana Villa is a phenomenally extensive review of citizenship and what not only our negative protections include, but also our positive responsibilities.  As a Princeton Professor who taught two of my favorite classes at UCSB there are few professors with more passion, better articulation of truth and encompassing answers to the problems our country faces.   Political Theory is where we argue the role of government and the role of citizen and how the relationship should be managed. 

   Comparative Politics is a science of comparing and contrasting different countries' governments, for example a comparison of the representative democracy of the United States and the parliamentary system of England.  The idea is to study the pros and cons, costs and benefits, in an effort to synthesis, hybridize and optimize.  Its a fascinating field of study, inclusion of legal, economic or other social institutions are an integral component of comparative politics that helps establish best practices and a framework for meaningful debate and improved policy.  

    International relations splits between two schools of thought, idealism and realism with idealism emphasizing international bodies and law and realism emphasizing international competition and self-interest.  While the United Nations and treaties composed the basis for international law, realism looks at the realities and argues that within the backdrop of international anarchy self-interested nations compete for limited resources. In the realist studies of international relations we look at the individuals who shaped or are shaping history, including their psychology, ideology, philosophy and belief structure to grasp the nature of the individuals influencing national behavior.  The second levels look at the makeup of states and what is influencing them, from religion to economics and everything in between.  The third level looks at the systemic level, or the international landscape described by realists as anarchic or in a perpetual state of chaos as leaders of autonomous nation-states compete to represent the interests of their constituents.  Kenneth Waltz is considered the founder of neorealism, Kant is the favored international relations theorist of idealists. 

     Political Scientists, in addition to making great government employs and attorneys having an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of human affairs and bureaucratic administration make them valuable to employ at any company.  Training in political science makes one logically cogent and principled in the formation of compelling arguments.  The encouraged participation by trained and educated individuals in such arguments flushes out a higher truth and by allowing for a lively debate across the country better conclusions and policies can be reached that better serve the interests of us all.  This is the vital role of liberty expressed by John Stuart Mill and David Hume, the political counterparts to the fundamental economic theories of Adam Smith and John Locke that were so influential in the founding of the United States of America.