*Political Science Subject Guide

A starting point for general political science research.

What is Political Science?

"Politics attained the status of a scientific discipline in the 20th century, due to the progress and the transformation of law studies and the growing influence of behaviourism in the social sciences" (Berg-Schlosser et al., 2020, p. 1). Politics aims "to organise and to assert the coexistence of individuals in the same community...Some social scientists have alternatively promoted an instrumentalist approach, which considers that the distinctive nature of politics has to be found not in the aims but in the instruments used for running the polity." (Berg-Schlosser et al., 2020, p. 2).
Berg-Schlosser, D., Badie, B., & Morlino, L. (2020). The SAGE handbook of political science (p. 2). SAGE Publications Ltd.

 

What Do Political Scientists Do?

Political scientists can work in a vast array of job settings, like in academia, public service, teaching, law, and nonprofit management. "Political scientists usually conduct research in one of the following areas: national politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory" (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).
Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). What political scientists do. Occupational outlook handbook: Life, physical, and social sciences. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm#tab-2 

How to Become a Political Scientist

For more information about study and programs in political science at Georgia State University, see: