Political scientists may specialize in areas such as political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public policy, or political methodology. They use a variety of research methods, including statistical analysis, surveys, case studies, and fieldwork, to gather data and test hypotheses about political phenomena. Political scientists often work in academia, government, think tanks, or non-profit organizations.

In more general terms, the diverse field of political science is divided into four major subfields. To understand what a political scientist is, it is necessary to comprehend the distinctions that define the areas of the discipline.

Comparative Politics
As the name suggests, comparative politics compares systems of government, such as democracy, republic, monarchy, communism, etc. It is, essentially, the study of political experience within more than one nation-state for the purpose of making systematic comparisons. Political scientists in this arena examine the structure and the impacts of political parties.

International Relations
Political scientists who study international relations examine the ways that nations interact. Whereas the subfield of comparative politics examines and contrasts the internal workings of multiple nations, international relations considers how countries relate to one another. This endeavor is concerned with foreign policy, military questions, national security, trade policy, and international finance. Some of its focus is on how nation-states cooperate, trade, argue, and go to war.

Political Economy
This branch of political science is the study of how politics and economics affect each other. Political scientists in this subfield investigate how a country is managed or governed, taking into account both political and economic factors. This may involve assessing fiscal policies, stabilization measures, and public regulation of industry. It may include examining the impact of economic power on international relations or how different economies evolve within similar political systems. It may consider ways in which political reform could lead to a more just or more efficient society.

Political Philosophy
Political philosophy is the most abstract branch of political science. It is concerned with fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, liberty, justice, civil rights, and the enforcement of a legal code by authority. It is, essentially, ethics applied to a group of people, and discusses how a society should be set up and how individuals should act within a society.

Political philosophy asks questions like: What is a government? Why are governments needed? What makes a government legitimate? What rights and freedoms should a government protect? What duties do citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any? When may a government be legitimately overthrown, if ever ?

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