History
If you will observe narratives of
historical events, most of them focus either on culture, economics or
politics. A higher percent actually
involves politics and government. In
Philippine history, one can trace the developments of government from before
the arrival of the Spaniards, until the government of the present day. Even world history is full of narratives of
political events, not just within the borders of other states but also in the
politics between states which is called International
Politics.
Economics
The interface between Political
Science and Economics manifest as Macroeconomics, Political Economy and International
Political Economy. An aspect of macroeconomics
deals with how national economy is managed by the government. Political Economy is decision making on the
governmental level with regards to political resources (not just the four
economic resources). These include
military, technological advancement, even the resource of opportunity. Political Economy contributes to the field of
political science known as Rational
Choice Theory and Game Theory.
Geography
Political Geography and Geopolitics
are two different interface of Political Science and Geography. The former studies how to manage the state
based on allocation or delineation of political space. One example is the location of very old churches
and local town/provincial halls in the Philippine. Historically, such architecture is evidence
of the union of church and state during the Spanish Period. Another example is the reason why the
Philippines has a unitary state instead of a federal one. The unitary system creates reliance upon the
central government, thus maintaining the scattered islands linked in union.
Geopolitics considers political relationships (particularly between states) based on the natural contours of the earth. One example is the current issue of Scarborough Shoal. Another is the importance of maritime channels between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. Blocking such channels blocks maritime commerce (a path upon which petroleum delivery to industrialized Asian states are reliant).
Sociology and Anthropology
These two disciplines are
important to Political Science since both gives insight to the nature of
people. Social power which is studied in
political science has sociological foundations.
Social power manifests when there are two or more people exerting their
wills. Power allows one to pursue
his/her own will even with the opposition of another. Power is making another change his/her own
will. Anthropology provides explanations
on human political behavior based on what influences man and society. These studies eventually lead to political
science areas known as political culture.
Psychology
Knowing why a person does what he
or she does is necessary in political science.
Thus is the study of Political
Psychology, it can provide answers to questions such as “Why do people vote?”
or even “What would make people rally against terroristic acts?”
Philosophy
This discipline contributes both
to Political Theory and Political
Philosophy. Political
Philosophy is normative (posits ideals which society, in terms of politics, ought
to be). Political Theory is more
empirical. It deals with political
hypotheses which can be tested empirically (experientially or based on practical
applications).
Statistics and Logic
Statistics is a branch of mathematics
while logic is a branch of Philosophy. Logic
deals with correct reasoning. It is the right
way to arrive at an acceptable conclusion given proper evidence or premises. Statistics measures probabilities. It provides formulas and equations on how separate
events can be related. Together with
political science, these two contribute to the study of Political Behavior.
Jurisprudence
Etymologically, “Wisdom of the
Law,” or wisdom behind the law.
Jurisprudence studies the principles behind the workings of laws and
government policies. One principle is
that the “Law will not command the impossible.”
Another is, “The law is harsh, but it is the law.”
Additional Reference:
Black’s Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009), available at Westlaw BLACKS.
Danziger, J. N.
(2011). (Chapters on Political Institutions Structures, Institutional
Arrangements, and Political Behavior, and Political Economy). In J. N.
Danziger, Understanding the Political World (11th ed., pp. 28-54,
141-164, 169-202, 203-229). New York: Pearson.
Roskin, M. G.,
Cord, R. L., Medeiros, J. A., & Walters, J. (2010). (Chapter 7: Political
Culture). In M. G. Roskin, R. L. Cord, J. A. Medeiros, & J. Walters, Political
Science: An Introduction (pp. 118-214). Boston: Pearson.