Who is the Founder of Politics?
Politics is a multifaceted activity, and it is one of the oldest forms of social organization. Political science is the systematic study of the state, law, and government—including their origins, development, structure, and functioning. It also includes the analysis of governments, public policies, political behavior, and organized activities of political systems. Throughout history, people have studied and written about the nature of politics and the methods of governing. But who is the founder of politics?
Political Science: An Ancient Practice
The practice of politics, in some form or another, dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle are widely credited with establishing the foundations of Western political philosophy. Socrates (469–399 BC) is widely credited with setting the stage for political science as a discipline. His teachings, as recorded by Plato in The Republic, outlined the ideal state and political system, giving rise to many of the classic questions of political philosophy.
Aristotle (384–322 BC) furthered the development of the practice of politics by drawing on elements of the political systems of the ancient Greeks, Persians, and other classical civilizations. Using Socratic dialogue, Aristotle established a comprehensive system of politics grounded in the study of ethical, social, legal, and political theories. The basis of this system was the notion of the harmonious “polis,” or city-state.
Growth of Political Science
The study of politics continued to develop during the medieval period, especially in Europe and the Middle East. The writings of medieval Islamic political philosophers such as al-Farabi (872–950), Avicenna (980–1037), and Averroes (1126–1198) constituted groundbreaking contributions to the study of politics and political philosophy.
During the Enlightenment of the 17th and 18th centuries, political science saw a resurgent popularity among intellectuals in Europe. The Age of Enlightenment saw a flowering of political thought, with prominent works such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract and Baron de Montesquieu’s The Spirit of the Laws laying the intellectual groundwork for modern systems of government.
The Emergence of Modern Political Science
The 19th and 20th centuries saw the emergence of political science as a distinct academic field of study. The German civil law scholar Gustav Hugo (1817–1895) is widely regarded as the founder of modern political science, due to his research into the German constitution and legal system. Hugo also wrote extensively on international law, political economy, and comparative politics.
The French political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) is also credited with greatly advancing the development of modern political science. His most famous work, Democracy in America, is considered one of the most influential books ever written on the philosophy and practice of democracy. Through his work, Tocqueville provided important insights into the principles of social, legal, and political systems.
Overall, the roots of modern political science can be traced back to ancient Greece and the writings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, who established the intellectual foundations of political philosophy. Subsequent generations of political theorists and scholars helped to shape the field of political science, including prominent figures such as Gustav Hugo, Baron de Montesquieu, and Alexis de Tocqueville. While there is no single founder of politics, these thinkers have had an important influence on the development of modern political systems.
