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If Political Science is Widely Regarded as Irrelevant to Real Politics, What Can be Done to Reverse that View?

Let Google AI Answer that Question with its Own Book Review:

The main argument of William J. Kelleher's book, Normative Political Science: An Exciting New Way to Do Poli Sci Research, is that it is possible to scientifically measure the "operational goodness" of a political system. Rather than relying on subjective moral philosophy, Kelleher proposes a method that combines two established theories to provide an objective, data-driven evaluation. 

Key components of the argument

1. Integration of established theories

Kelleher's methodology is based on two frameworks:

  • David Easton's Systems Theory: This theory conceptualizes a political system in terms of inputs, processes, and outputs. The system converts demands and support from the public into policies and decisions. Kelleher uses this as a "blueprint" for a political system.
  • Robert S. Hartman's Value Science: This formal axiology provides a framework for measuring the "goodness" of things by assessing how well a specimen fulfills the conceptual definition of its category. 

2. Assessing "operational goodness"

By combining Easton and Hartman, Kelleher argues that the "operational goodness" of a political system can be measured by comparing its actual performance against the conceptual expectations laid out in Easton's model. This allows political scientists to: 

  • Rate and compare systems: Systems can be rated as "excellent," "adequate," or "poor," and compared to other systems.
  • Pinpoint dysfunctions: The method helps identify exactly where a system is failing to meet its operational specifications, highlighting specific dysfunctions. 

3. Incorporation of public opinion

The book recognizes that unlike a mechanical system, a political system's "operational goodness" must also account for the human element. Public opinion regarding the system's performance is used as an additional measure, with well-functioning systems likely to receive supportive attitudes and vice versa. 

4. Prescription of remedial policies

By identifying system deficiencies based on scientific observation rather than moral judgment, the approach shifts political science toward an applied, problem-solving discipline. 

  • Proposing solutions: Political scientists can suggest remedial policies to address diagnosed problems, improving the system's operation.
  • Raising the profession's standing: This provides a pathway for political science to be seen as a reliable source of public policy wisdom, potentially raising the profession's standing. 

The bridge between "is" and "ought"

Ultimately, Kelleher's book seeks to bridge the traditional gap between descriptive (empirical) and prescriptive (normative) political science. By using empirical observations to determine how well the "ought" of the political system is being fulfilled, he proposes a method for deriving practical policy solutions from scientific analysis. 

The above is Google AI's exact answer to this question, What are the main arguments in the book, Normative Political Science, by William Kelleher?

William J. Kelleher, PhD

"Together, we can make Political Science better!"

 

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