Evolution of Political Science Essay Example

egocentric beings. The government should, therefore, serve the general will of the community as opposed to greed and lust for properties brought about by civil liberties.

Neo-Darwinism, Sociobiology and Political Theory

From the human nature politics, the Neo-Darwinism theory was developed. This approach to social behavior and politics was based on a basic individualist model (BLYTH, 2006). One of the major assumptions of this theory is that individuals are the basic units of survival and multiplication (Behera & Vanaik, 2013). The basic idea of this social development and political theory traces back its assumption to Darwin's concept of family selection where sociality is viable if the individual's self-sacrifices were offset by gains in the shared genes (Behera & Vanaik, 2013).

The sociobiological theory was necessary for the 21st political scientists since it was the basis for the advancement of explanation of the origin of human politics (Behera & Vanaik, 2013). They viewed politics to be derived from reproductive competition. They also adopted sociobiological assumptions that political organizations are based on three individual reproductive interests; altruism, reciprocity, and exploitation (Behera & Vanaik, 2013). The scientific evidence in Darwin’s family selection concept has shaped the sociality of human beings and their social and political associations.

Political Science in the 21st Century

From the traditional times of Aristotle and Plato up to the Darwinism through to the 21st century, the concept of political science has changed over time. For instance, the idea of governance and power has been incorporated into the discipline in the 21st century (Behera & Vanaik, 2013). The question modern times political scientists try to explain is relating to who has power and how the power is acquired. They further

examine how the powers in the political systems are exercised. This concept has led to the explanation of various forms of governance; including dictatorial and democratic governance (BLYTH, 2006). The idea of power transfer and how it is lost is also explained in the modern political science. Different institutions exercise these powers in the society. These institutions including schools, churches, governments, labor unions and even businesses have components of political systems which are explained by political scientists (BLYTH, 2006).

All these institutions primarily allocate resources. Political science also explains the government as a powerful and coercive system which organizes a nation-state scenario (Mansfield & Sisson, 2004). The relationships between nations and states and also international relationships and co-existents are examined in the subject (Mansfield & Sisson, 2004).

The world is facing serious revolutionary changes brought about by technology and the shifting interest of the people. These changes have brought with them interdependence of states and political systems (Behera & Vanaik, 2013). Several challenges are facing the global economies. Political scientists must examine these challenges including persistent hunger, ecological and climate changes and worsening economic situations to establish permanent solutions to these problems (Behera & Vanaik, 2013).

In conclusion, political science has evolved over time, from the initial concepts of biological culture evolution proposed by Aristotle up to the modern times where the idea of governance and power has been incorporated into the discipline. International co-operation has also been included to help tackle the global challenges of hunger and worsening economic situations.

References

1. Behera, N. & Vanaik, A. (2013). Political science. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
2. BLYTH, M. (2006). Great Punctuations: Prediction, Randomness, and the Evolution of Comparative Political Science.
   

APSR, 100(04), 493.