Why politics is studied scientifically?

Answer 1

There are several ways to approach any subject. One way is with anecdotal evidence, which is where you gather up personal stories and recollections from a number of people. The problem with this method is it's not reliable. Asking your friends or your colleagues won't give you a wide enough sample of people, and what they tell you may not be what the majority of people think. But approaching a subject scientifically will mean you gather a large enough sample that includes a cross-section of the public; and using the scientific method will make sure you avoid bias in your research.

Also, the scientific study of politics is the best way to avoid logical fallacies, something politicians and talk show commentators are notorious for. Studying something scientifically means you can get beyond the "spin" and come up with factual answers that give insight into the questions the public wants answered.

For example, a recent (July 2011) study looked at who the members of the Tea Party movement are, and what they believe. It was conducted by two experienced political scientists. They were not interested in whether this movement is good or bad (which is an opinion question); their research focused on facts: who were the people who belonged to this movement, and what were their views about a number of political issues.

Scientific study is also important for other Social Sciences, including political science, Mass Communication and other sciences like psychology and sociology, which can involve looking at how people (and entire societies) behave.

Answer 2

Yes the study of politics can be scientific - a social science discipline that focuses on systems of government