Political Science and other Disciplines

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.