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The State in Political Science: How We Became What We Study

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  • Lowi, Theodore J.

Abstract

American political science is a product of the American state. There are political reasons why particular subdisciplines became hegemonic with the emergence of the “Second Republic” after World War II. The three hegemonic subdisciplines of our time are public opinion, public policy, and public choice. Each is a case study of consonance with the thought-ways and methods of a modern bureaucratized government committed to scientific decision making. Following Leviathan too closely results in three principal consequences: (1) failure to catch and evaluate the replacement of law by economics as the language of the state, (2) the loss of passion in political science discourse, and (3) the failure of political science to appreciate the significance of ideological sea changes accompanying regime changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Lowi, Theodore J., 1992. "The State in Political Science: How We Became What We Study," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 86(1), pages 1-7, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:apsrev:v:86:y:1992:i:01:p:1-7_08
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard O. Zerbe & Howard E. McCurdy, 1999. "The failure of market failure," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(4), pages 558-578.
    2. James M. Lindsay & John A. C. Conybeare & Gerald L. Sorokin, 1994. "Introduction," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 38(2), pages 179-184, June.
    3. George A. Boyne, 1996. "Competition and Local Government: A Public Choice Perspective," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 33(4-5), pages 703-721, May.
    4. Peter Kurrild-Klitgaard, 2018. "Public choice and political science: a view from Europe," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 245-257, June.
    5. Spender, J. C., 2024. "Simon and Knight," MPRA Paper 120891, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Ruth Lane, 1996. "Positivism, Scientific Realism and Political Science," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 8(3), pages 361-382, July.

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