Question

State the differences between Behaviouralism & Post-behaviouralism 

or 

Compare Behaviouralism and Post – behaviouralism

Answer 1

Differences / Conparison between Behaviouralism & Post – behaviouralism: 

There are following differences between Behaviouralism & Post – behaviouralism:

1. Difference in different phases of development: 

Behaviouralism is an intellectual reaction against traditional political approach.This represents the development of Political Science from traditional approach. Whereas Post – behaviouralism is an important reform in Behaviouralism This represents the development of Political Science from Behaviouralism.

2. Differences in Nature: 

Basic concept of Behaviouralism is not creative, whereas Post – behaviouralism is creative. Post – behaviouralism has never opposed Behaviouralism, rather it has developed Behaviouralism through new experiments.

3. Differences in Assumption: 

Behaviouralism accepts the basic similarity between Political Science and natural sciences. Where as Post-Behaviouralism do not consider Political Science as the same as natural science. They believe Political Science to be a social science. 

4. Differences in Approach: 

Behaviouralism accepts the importance of facts only to study Political Science and ignores values, whereas Post-behaviouralism accepts the importance of both, facts as well as values. 

5. Differences in Relevance: 

Behaviouralism lays stress on the technical purity whereas Post – behaviouralism lays stress on relevance of research along with purity of technique. David Easton has rightly said that Post – behaviouralism believes in theory of relevance but Behaviouralism ignores it. 

To conclude, it can be said that by origin, both Behaviouralism and Post – behaviouralism are given to Political Science American political scholars. Post – behaviouralism is not an opposition movement of Behaviouralism, rather it has developed a more relevant approach in Political Science. Today, the condition of inter – contrast is almost gone. Post – behaviouralism is just an attempt to remove the shortcomings of Behaviouralism.

Answer 2

Behaviouralism emerged out of the crisis of political science due to normative theory. Normative theories were generally considered as armchair theories & not verifiable. Therefore behaviouralism attempted to study politics from scientific lens to prevent its decline vis-a-vis other discipline. It favoured political science as true science, to lay focus on techniques & process rather than values.

Post-behaviouralism emerged as political theory in 60s & 70s as a backdrop of decline in pol.theory due to behavioural movement, which started loosing relevance in providing solution to contemporary issues. Neo-behaviouralism focused on values, they proposed that research should be more relevant to society.