Politics An Art or Science? (Pols101)

Introduction 

Politics As An Art

Politics in most cases is less than a science than an art. Politics deals with practical situations more than being theoretical. And that is why, there is always this perception, that studying political science doesn't make one a good politician.

The artist is one who develops skill along certain lines not so much because of knowledge of general principles but because of native talents and long practice in his craft. 

A political artist, Pres. Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Politics is in a sense, as described by Lord Bismarck, "the art of the possible". It is the act of selecting the most worthwhile among whatever policies are possible. Like some great artists–many effective politicians have not been educated in the theory of science of politics but seem to have been born to it in the sense that they have talents perpetually suited to practical politics. Like artists, they have been capable of making intuitive adjustments aided by an innate sense of taste, balance and harmony.

Politics As A Science 

Science provides the principles; the corresponding art applies them. The political scientists provide the principles for the politicians. However, political science cannot make a politician out of a scientist. Nor can political science make up to any great extent for the wealth of experience and insight that the practical politicians or administrator bring to bear on individual political problems. Except in rare cases, many political scientists do not possess the aptitude for politics.

A political scientist, Prof. Kayode A. Omojuwa 

Political Science is the systematic study and analysis of politics. An identifiable field of study whose practitioners are found mostly in institutions of higher education, where they teach and conduct research for a government.

By way of explanation, therefore, political science is simply the study of politics scientifically.

What does it mean to study politics scientifically?

To study politics scientifically simply means to follow a certain method for gathering and analysing facts known as the scientific method or methodology.

This methodology is summarised here in four steps:

• Observation

As the name suggests, this involves observing a particular phenomenon one is interested in. It also includes collection and systematic arrangement of relevant facts or data.

An observer

• Generalization 

This is the beginning of a conscious effort and explanation of a phenomenon. It involves making preliminary or generalised statements, also known as hypotheses, about what one has observed.

For instance, one may observe that many returning students to the university fail to return after the resumption of the university from break. One may assume that many students did not return due to the lack of financial means.

My opinion inscribed 

This is a hypothesis arising out of observation. But the observer cannot come to a conclusion on the basis of this. He or she has to subject this hypothesis to the third step.

• Confirmation

The purpose of confirmation is to ascertain whether the generalisation or hypothesis is valid. It involves seeking the affected students out and asking them questions about why they did not return to school. This is called field or empirical research.

The researcher may discover that lack of financial means plays only a minor role in the observed behaviours. In this case, the hypothesis will be regarded as invalid and has to be rejected as not confirmed.

A hand gesticulating confirmation 

The researcher may discover that the “japa” phenomenon was responsible for that behaviour. In this case, the researcher will reach a different conclusion from his initial assumption.

• Application (or Conclusion) 

This stage involves drawing conclusions from the confirmed findings and applying them to real-life situations, forming theories, or providing inputs to government and policy bodies.

Hands shaking 

Conclusion 

We think of politics as an art because a politician is judged primarily in terms of results. On the other hand, a political scientist is judged at least as much in terms of the methods he has used in his work as in terms of results because the methods affect the validity of his results.

References 

Elements of politics: Remi Anifowose and Francis Enemuo 

Pols101 note dictated by Prof. Kayode A. Omojuwa