Difference Between Polity and Political Science
Polity and political science are two closely related terms that are often confused with each other. However, there is a clear distinction between the two.
Polity refers to the form of government of a state or nation. It is the system of rules and institutions that govern a country. There are many different types of polities, including democracies, republics, monarchies, and dictatorships.
Political science, on the other hand, is the study of politics. It is the academic discipline that deals with the theory and practice of government and politics. Political science encompasses a wide range of topics, including political theory, comparative politics, international relations, and public policy.
Key Differences Between Polity and Political Science
The key difference between polity and political science is that polity is concerned with the form of government, while political science is concerned with the study of politics. Polity is a descriptive term, while political science is an analytical term.
Polity is also more specific than political science. Polity refers to a particular type of government, while political science encompasses a wide range of topics.
Examples of Polity
Some examples of polities include:
- Democracy: A democracy is a form of government in which the people hold power. In a democracy, the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
- Republic: A republic is a form of government in which the people hold power, but they do not directly elect the people who make decisions on their behalf. In a republic, the people elect representatives to elect the people who make decisions on their behalf.
- Monarchy: A monarchy is a form of government in which one person, the monarch, holds all the power.
- Dictatorship: A dictatorship is a form of government in which one person, the dictator, holds all the power.
Examples of Political Science
Some examples of political science topics include:
- Political theory: Political theory is the study of the fundamental principles of government and politics.
- Comparative politics: Comparative politics is the study of the similarities and differences between political systems in different countries.
- International relations: International relations is the study of the relationships between countries.
- Public policy: Public policy is the study of the decisions that governments make.
Conclusion
Polity and political science are two closely related terms that are often confused with each other. However, there is a clear distinction between the two. Polity refers to the form of government of a state or nation, while political science is the study of politics.