political science

American  

noun

1. a social science dealing with political institutions and with the principles and conduct of government.

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political science British  

noun

1. (esp as an academic subject) the study of the state, government, and politics: one of the social sciences

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political science Cultural  

1. The systematic study of government and politics. Political science is a social science that makes generalizations and analyses about political systems and political behavior and uses these results to predict future behavior. Political science includes the study of political philosophy, ethics, international relations and foreign policy, public administration, and the dynamic relations between different parts of governments.

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Other Word Forms

• political scientist noun

Etymology

Origin of political science

First recorded in 1770–80

Example Sentences

Travis Ridout, a political science professor at Washington State University, said book tours "give potential candidates a way to campaign without really admitting that they are campaigning."

From Barron's

Vermont, where I teach political science, did not look like fertile ground for Jackson when he first ran for president.

From Salon

She is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she majored in journalism and political science.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Just his appearance on the stand illustrates how public opinion has shifted,” said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University, who studies tech in politics.

From Los Angeles Times

That includes in California, which sits on the “front lines of climate impacts and pollution impacts,” said Leah Stokes, an associate professor of political science at UC Santa Barbara.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• civics