Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Political science, initially dominated by institutional and normative approaches, underwent a significant shift in the mid-20th century with the rise of Behaviouralism. This approach, emphasizing empirical observation and scientific methods, aimed to create a value-free social science. However, by the 1960s, Behaviouralism faced criticism for its excessive focus on ‘what is’ at the expense of ‘what ought to be’. This dissatisfaction led to the emergence of the Post-Behavioural Approach, championed by scholars like David Easton, seeking to bridge the gap between rigorous methodology and real-world relevance in political analysis.
The Rise of Behaviouralism and its Limitations
Behaviouralism, gaining prominence post-World War II, sought to emulate the methods of natural sciences. It focused on observable behaviour, utilizing quantitative techniques and statistical analysis. Key features included:
- Methodological Rigour: Emphasis on empirical observation, data collection, and statistical analysis.
- Value-Free Science: A commitment to objectivity and neutrality, excluding normative judgements.
- Focus on Political Behaviour: Studying the actual behaviour of political actors rather than formal institutions.
- Generalization and Theory Building: Aiming to develop generalizable theories about political phenomena.
However, Behaviouralism faced several criticisms:
- Loss of Relevance: Critics argued that its focus on abstract models and statistical analysis led to a disconnect from pressing social and political issues.
- Value-Neutrality Myth: The claim of value-free science was challenged, as researchers’ own values inevitably influence their research questions and interpretations.
- Limited Scope: Its emphasis on observable behaviour neglected the role of ideas, beliefs, and power structures.
The Post-Behavioural Approach: A Response to Behaviouralism
The Post-Behavioural Approach, articulated primarily by David Easton in his 1969 article “The New Revolution in Political Science”, emerged as a response to these shortcomings. It didn’t reject the methodological advancements of Behaviouralism but sought to supplement them with a renewed focus on relevance and values.
Key Tenets of Post-Behaviouralism
- Relevance: Political science should address real-world problems and contribute to solving societal challenges.
- Value-Ladenness: Recognizing that values are inherent in political life and that political science cannot and should not be entirely value-free. Easton distinguished between ‘basic’ values (those guiding research) and ‘derived’ values (those informing policy recommendations).
- Action-Orientation: Political science should not merely describe and explain political phenomena but also contribute to informed political action.
- Methodological Pluralism: Accepting a variety of research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and historical approaches.
Two Faces of Post-Behaviouralism
Easton identified two ‘faces’ of Post-Behaviouralism:
- Empirical Theory: This face retained the methodological rigour of Behaviouralism but emphasized the importance of developing theories relevant to real-world problems.
- Normative Theory: This face advocated for a more explicit engagement with values and ethical considerations in political analysis.
Impact and Legacy
The Post-Behavioural Approach significantly influenced the development of political science. It broadened the scope of the discipline, encouraging scholars to address issues of social justice, political participation, and public policy. It also led to the emergence of new subfields, such as policy analysis and political psychology. However, it also faced criticism for its potential to blur the lines between objective analysis and political advocacy.
Conclusion
The Post-Behavioural Approach represented a crucial turning point in political science, acknowledging the limitations of purely Behavioural methods while retaining their methodological strengths. By emphasizing relevance, value-ladenness, and action-orientation, it broadened the scope of the discipline and encouraged scholars to engage with real-world problems. While debates continue regarding the appropriate balance between objectivity and advocacy, the Post-Behavioural legacy remains significant in shaping contemporary political science research and practice.
Answer Length
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