Political science

Political Science

Political Science (pronunciation: /pəˈlɪtɪkəl ˈsaɪəns/) is a branch of social science that deals with systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, and political behavior.

Etymology

The term "Political Science" is derived from the Greek word "politikos" meaning "of, for, or relating to citizens". It is the combination of two words: "polis" which means city-state and "science" which means to know or to understand.

Related Terms

Government: The system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state.
Politics: The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power.
Democracy: A system of government where the citizens exercise power by voting.
Constitution: A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Political Philosophy: The philosophical study of government, addressing questions about the nature, scope, and legitimacy of public agents and institutions.
International Relations: A branch of political science concerned with relations between nations and primarily with foreign policies.
Political Economy: The study of production and trade and their relations with law, custom, and government, and with the distribution of national income and wealth.
Public Administration: The implementation of government policy and also an academic discipline that studies this implementation and prepares civil servants for working in the public service.