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Q-6 | Paper 2

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By A R Kushwaha

 Qn. 6. Elucidate the trans-disciplinary nature of modern comparative politics and identify the contributions of political sociologists towards this goal. (2012/II/3d/15m)


Comparative politics can be defined as the adoption of comparative methods for political inquiry, to comprehend various similarities and differences between political systems. Modern comparative politics evolved as a trans-disciplinary field of study. Political sociologists study relationships between political systems and sociological factors.

Comparative politics compares political systems. It has an ancient heritage, which can be traced to Ancient Greece. Socrates and Plato were dedicated to finding the best ‘politikos’, via dialectics. In the same endeavour, Aristotle compared constitutions. Various comparative methods were invented and evolved, for political inquiry. The field expanded.

Modern comparative politics emerged in the second half of 20th century by borrowing from multiple disciplines like political science, sociology, economy, psychology, economics etc. Its nature became relatively more systematic, scientific, and analytical and penetrated behind the facade of political institutions. In the 1960s, Laswell, Almond etc., attempted to develop it as separate from both political theory and international studies. Modern developments like decolonisation accelerated its evolution and increased the demand for the trans-disciplinary approach. Modern comparative approaches include, inter alia, political system approach, political economy approach, political sociology approach, political culture approach, structural functional approach and behavioural approach.

Political sociology approach studies the relations and dichotomies between politics and society. It pursued the examination of political institutions and social movements. Its parents are political science and sociology. Its main academic schools are Marxists and Weberians. Political sociologists contributed to the trans-disciplinary nature of comparative politics as the study of any political phenomenon is done by keeping in view the socio-political milieu in which such phenomenon develops and functions. Sociological factors such as race, caste, religion, culture etc., heavily impact politics. Such phenomenon can best be studied with a trans-disciplinary lens.

Contributions of political sociology can be:

  1. Helps better understand politics of society
  2. helps to trace how the social forces change the political system;
  3. comprehend critical social phenomenon such as regionalism and communalism;
  4. helps the political institutions to determine various social welfare programs etc.

All of these need a grasp of and feedback from various disciplines such as psychology, sociology, economics, political science etc., to be realistic, relevant and effective.

Conclusion: The modern comparative approaches sought to comprehend the various disciplinary aspects needed for becoming truly comparative. Political sociology dug deeper and planted the trans-disciplinary approach in comparative political studies, enriching and validating it.


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