Sociology is defined as the scientific study of society. A society is nothing but a complex network of various groups, institutions, communities, associations, people, and their everyday life activities.
Political science is generally defined as a scientific study of state, government, and politics. Here, probably, the most frequently used concepts are politics, state, power, political socialization, leadership, governance, decision making, policy making, and its impacts are some of the important terms that are commonly used in political science. We can imagine no society without polity or political institutions in modern times.
Sociology and political science are closely connected to each other in many respects. sociology, particularly in their analysis of power, authority structures, administration, and governance.
Similarities between sociology and Political Science
There are many similarities between sociology and political science.
- Political science depends heavily upon sociology for its basic theories and methods.
- Sociology and Political Science borrowed from similar third-party disciplines such as economics, history, anthropology, and psychology.
- Many scholars, such as Marx, Weber, Gramsci, Pareto, Parsons, Mosca, etc. have equally contributed to the growth and development of both disciplines.
- Sociology examines various aspects of political behaviour with a special focus on their social implications. If we consider both sociology and Political Science, there is an intersection point between them.
Differences between Sociology and Political Science
However, both disciplines differ in their approach. Political scientists investigate into rise, fall, and changes of governments and their leaders, whereas sociologists see governments as social institutions, a political system used for social development.
However, there are a number of differences also between sociology and political science.
- Sociologists talk about the system of interaction within groups, institutions, or organizations, whereas political science talks about control mechanisms within such groups or organizations.
- Hence, the frame of reference or perspectives of sociology and political science differ in terms of reference and perspective. The former is primarily concerned with interactionist views, whereas the latter focuses on power structure, order, and control mechanisms.
Political Sociology.
Political sociology is the area where both disciplines intersect each other. It is relatively a newer branch of sociology and it studies various political intuitions, associations, organizations, and interest groups and their power and role in society. Political sociology, also studies interest groups, political parties, administrative and bureaucratic behaviour, social legislation, state policies, reforms, and political ideologies.