Yaksh ChaudharyAIR 6 · CSE 2021 · 318 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Sociology studies the social structure, social relationships, institutions of society and the pattern of behavior of individuals while political science studies the stratification of power, and political behavior of members of society.
Body · points and prose
Relationship between Both
Close · a summary
Political sphere is an integral part of society. DURKHEIM advocates that power is present in every sphere of society and not just in political sphere for e.g. family also have power differential. Hence sociology needs to study this power inequality to explain the society in a better way.
Political behavior of society does not operate in isolation. But various facets of society like gender, class, caste etc. influence the political behavior.
For example- caste plays an important role in politics in India. RAJNI KOTHARI calls in politicisation of caste. Caste associations affects the political orientation of people.
Gender dimension also impacts the power relationship in the society. There is low representation of women in politics of almost all countries due to patriarchy in the society.
Class also influence the political behavior of individuals. Many class based pressure groups influence the pluralist democracy in many countries.
Hence sociology while studying gender, caste, class etc. helps political science to explain the power differential more accurately.
Pareto and Mosca while giving their theories about circulation of Elites described the power differential between elites and masses and how elites use ideological state apparatus to suppress masses.
Dependency theory (Immanual Wallerstein, Andre Gunder Frank) explained the international politics where rich countries exploit poor and developing countries.
Dynamics of political sphere also have impacts on society. for e.g. Emergence of dominant caste (MN SRININIVAS) in politics in India influenced the traditional stratification of the society.
Panchayti Raj institutions and reservation to women has questioned the patriarchy in India and has led to women empowerment.
Steps taken by government like- Anti-discrimination laws etc. have bearing on structure of society.
Hence sociology and political science are complementary to each other.