The overall field of political science includes several major subfields:
American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political economy,
and political philosophy. Most political science departments at universities
encourage students to specialize or concentrate in one of these subfields.
American government
The biggest subfield of political science in the United States, American
government focuses on voting behavior, political parties, lawmaking, the
Constitution, public administration, public policy, the role of the courts, and
other facets of American government. Some departments refer to this subfield as
“civics.”
Comparative Politics
Comparative politics compares systems of government in other countries.
For example, a comparative political scientist might examine the impact of
political parties on elections in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United
States, or she might compare the constitutions of Argentina and Barbados.
International Relations
International relations scholars examine the ways in which nations
interact. Whereas comparative politics compare the internal
workings of a state, international relations focuses on how states
relate to one another, such as why and how states trade,
cooperate, and fight.
Political Economy
Political economy is the study of how economics and politics affect each
other. Political scientists in this subfield might look at the impact of
economic power on international relations or how different economies develop
within similar political systems.
Political Philosophy
Some political scientists study the tradition of political philosophies
from Plato to the present. This subfield tries to answer questions and develop
theories about such abstract issues as ethics, authority, the nature of liberty
and freedom, the meaning of civil rights and civil liberties, and how
governments should function.
