My Newfound Respect for Political Scientists

[Maniac]

Originally posted by Agathon We invented that too.

Indeed. It is something a philosophy professor once said. Well I phrased it a little differently. Basically philosophy deals with the subjects which can't (yet?) be examined with the scientific method.

[Dracon II]

Originally posted by Agathon
Political scientists are just people who can't cut it as political philosophers.

Were that it were true... but many political philosophers are simply scholars who can't cut it as political philosophers. Hope that doesn't apply to me in the end

You're missing the point. Political Science and philosophy have a lot of overlap. The entire theoretical side of Political Science comes from philosophy and economics. It's a hybrid discipline. It's a bit like Women's Studies: parasitical on other disciplines.

Indeed... I'd say that most social sciences could trace their intellectual origins to some political philosopher or other. Of course, most of the early political philosophers would have considered themselves philosophers first and foremost.

[asleepathewheel]

to political scientists

Spoiler:

my wife is a political science professor and makes more than me, an attorney.

[Dracon II]

Originally posted by asleepathewheel
to political scientists

Spoiler:

my wife is a political science professor and makes more than me, an attorney.

That's hardly a surprise. She studies how laws are made. You study how laws are unmade

[Meticulous Man]

BTW, anyone have any opinions as to what subfield of Political Science is most likely to land you some kind of a job? Or should I switch to Economics?

[Ecthy]

@ thread

@aivo I'll probably switch straight into a Master in International Relations soon.

[Agathon]

Originally posted by Maniac

Indeed. It is something a philosophy professor once said. Well I phrased it a little differently. Basically philosophy deals with the subjects which can't (yet?) be examined with the scientific method.

That view of philosophy is somewhat old hat.

The current scientific method is one species of empirical inquiry. The organization of empirical gathered data into explanations which specifically consisted of causal inferences is pioneered in Aristotle's Posterior Analytics. Science as a body of logically connected statements describing the nature and causes of reality dates from that. Modern scientists have dumped many of his strange ideas about the nature of things and causation, but the overall structure is essentially the same.

[rah]

I graduated with a BS in Political Science. (appropriate )

It was the prescribed path for pre-law. But at the last minute I said the heck with it and worked in the field I thought I would enjoy more. Computers. My degree has served me quite well. I was quickly tagged for management since I was a techinical person that could actually communicate with normal people. Go figure.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by Wiglaf
It's not a science

[CrONoS]

Originally posted by Aivo½so


BTW, anyone have any opinions as to what subfield of Political Science is most likely to land you some kind of a job? Or should I switch to Economics?

Political Analyst; one of my friend began to work for the private sector; the other one for the federal(canadian) government.

Great wages, great opportunity.

It's also the path I choose:

I'll began a Master in Public Affair next semester; I hesitate between two concentration; Public Finance or Analyze & Evaluation.

Maybe you'll have to do basic or intermediate economics course. (depends of your concentration)

[CrONoS]

Originally posted by Aivo½so


BTW, anyone have any opinions as to what subfield of Political Science is most likely to land you some kind of a job? Or should I switch to Economics?

Why would you switch to economics?

Economics and Political Science are not the same thing. It could be hard to switch from one to another or to do a master in Economics if you have a Bs. in Pol Sci.((without doing prerequisite course).

If you like math & stat switch to economics. Otherwise keep your nose out of economics.

Maybe it depends of your university; but here in Quebec City; they are specialized in econometry.

[Kidlicious]

Originally posted by CrONoS
If you like math & stat switch to economics. Otherwise keep your nose out of economics.

I'm pretty sure any advanced degree in social science requires a lot of math.

[CrONoS]

Originally posted by Kidicious


I'm pretty sure any advanced degree in social science requires a lot of math.

Plainly no. Otherwise enlighten me.

Edit:
I understand that if you do quantitative study in sociology, psychology or political science; you'll need a minimum of math. But I don't think you'll ever use advanced or even basic derivative, integrals, etc... )

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Aivo½so


BTW, anyone have any opinions as to what subfield of Political Science is most likely to land you some kind of a job? Or should I switch to Economics?

Here is what you need to land a decent professorship in the US:

1) go to a top 20 program in your subfield
2) be very strong in methods

Theory is much more difficult to land a job in than the others.
Strong methods can get you a job with a polling firm or with a think tank.

I assume you are meaning graduate studies?

[asleepathewheel]

Originally posted by Kidicious


I'm pretty sure any advanced degree in social science requires a lot of math.

No, not really. By advanced you mean phd, not masters right? even at the phd level you can be qualitative in most social sciences. Further, if you are weak at math, you can probably find someone to co-author with and help your cv out.