Since we have already made a clear comparison of sociology with anthropology, psychology, and economics in the previous article, let us now learn about the relation of sociology with history and political science. Comparison Of Sociology With History.
Comparison Of Sociology With History.
1) Sociology and political science.
Sociology is the mother of all social sciences. Thereby, it has a close relationship with other social sciences. Similarly, political science is known to have its roots deeply connected with sociology. G.E.C. Catlin in this regard has put forward an important statement “Political Science and Sociology are two faces or aspects of the same figure.” To look into the differences one must have to go through a clear understanding of the two subjects. Comparison Of Sociology With History
- Sociology is the study of social life that includes knowledge of social groups, institutions, and interactions. Sociology tends to focus on human interaction and inter-relations, their circumstances, and concerns.
- Political science, on the other hand, is the science of understanding state and government. The political process, powers of designated ministers and persons, government types, and their relations at the international level can be studied by political science.
- Paul Junet mentions that “Political Science is that part of social science which treats the foundation of the state and principles of government.” Thereby, it emphasizes o political activities of an individual.
- Nearly, every social issue has a political cause associated with it. Thus, political science can be considered a part of sociology
Any political change in society brings a lot of change to social life. Thus, Sociology in an indirect manner is largely dependent on political science. Many political scientists like Plato, Aristotle, and Kautilya have provided vast knowledge in their books like The Republic, Arthshatra, etc. These books have a handful of sociological aspects that help sociologists get a clear depiction of many facts about social life. Comparison Of Sociology With History
There are different laws, norms, rules, and regulations in every particular area, being it a state or country which are formulated based on social values, customs, traditions, and rituals. So without learning about social background, it is impossible to thrive with novel laws and regulations for the improvement of a political state. Comparison Of Sociology With History
Differences:
- Sociology is the study of social life whereas political science is the science of politics and governance.
- Sociological studies look into the social activities of a whereas political science focuses on the political activities of a man.
- The scope of sociology is wider than political science.
- Sociology can study either organized or unorganized society whereas political science can only study the politically organized structure of society.
Sociology studies both formal and informal relations but political science lessons only on formal relationships. this is the major Comparison Of Sociology With History
2) Sociology and History.
Unlike other social sciences, history is also related to sociology as every present theory is somewhere associated with any event of the past.
- Sociology studies the systems of social action and their relations with each other.
- History, on the different hand, studies the significant events and happenings of the past. It records the life of societies that existed in past in chronological order.
- Since many sociological theories are inferred by taking into consideration past events, history is highly important for the study of society.
- According to G.H. Howard “History is past Sociology and Sociology is present history.” Both subjects take help from each other and hence, are interdependent.
Differences:
- Sociology studies present society but history deals with past events.
- Sociology is abstract whereas history is a concrete subject.
- The scope of history is less wide than sociology.
History is older and descriptive science whereas sociology is modern and analytical science.
