Contribution / Importance / Utility of Behaviouralism in the field of Political Science:
Behaviouralism has provided new study methods, new terminology, new approaches, new concepts, new methods and techniques to the study of Political Science. Dr. S.P. Verma has rightly said that, ‘Behaviouralists have found new areas for research in Political Science and have developed new study methods’.
Effect of Behaviouralism on Political Science and its usefulness and importance can be explained as under:
1. Establishment of new political science:
Political Science has been termed as new Political Science only because of the effect of Behaviouralism. It has brought into light the shortcomings of traditionalism. It has tried to make Political Science more value neutral, realistic and objective.
2. Providing scientific approach to Political Science:
Behaviouralism has laid. stress on the use of scientific methods to study Political Science. It has used research methods, questionnaire method, interview methods and statistical methods in Political Science.
3. Change in subject matter:
Political institutions were the center of study in traditional Political Science, whereas Behaviouralism has made human behaviour the central point in study of Political Science instead of theoretical explanation of political organizations, and considered human behaviour to be the basic unit of study.
4. Establishment of inter – disciplinary approach:
Behaviouralism has provided inter – disciplinary approach to Political Science and inspired the concept that study of Political Science should be done in context of other social sciences. This has broadened the outlook of political thinkers.
5. Alternative concepts:
Behaviouralism has provided many alternative concepts to Political Science which has a special importance in study of Political Science; for example, power groups, will power, voting behaviour and research method, etc.
6. Making the study of Political Science more realistic:
Behaviouralism has laid stress in the study of Political Science on ‘what is’ instead of ‘What should be’. In this way, Behaviouralism has made the study of Political Science more realistic.