Diametric post

Are you considering majoring in Political Science? While the decision ultimately depends on your interests and goals, I’d like to share my experience. I am an accidental Political Science major. My undergraduate degree was a dual major in Business Administration and Economics. After graduating, I worked in the private sector for a few years before joining the United States Navy as a Supply Officer. It was only a short time before I started diving deep into several political science and international relations books. A few years later, I now have a master’s in political science with a concentration in international relations. At first, the transition seemed odd. The only class on political science I had taken up until I started the program was Political Science 101. In other words, I had no idea what I was in for.

Nevertheless, I would have had it no other way. I quickly realized that my degree in Economics would be handy. Looking back on it, I am grateful for choosing Political Science because now I understand there is no economics without politics. Whereas an undergraduate degree in economics emphasizes learning the fundamental laws and theories of the field, political science taught me to take a deeper look at the institutions that make economic policy and how the “right” theory does not necessarily prevail in the political environment. This is not to say economics is not essential. If you have a knack for and interest in quantitative research, economics may be a better-suited field for you, and the pay is excellent for economists. Anyway, this article is not designed to convince you to go into economics.

Political science, on the other hand, is different from what I expected. Before signing up for the master’s degree, I was interested in engaging in political discourse. In other words, I loved debating. I still do. A degree in political science has amplified my ability to discuss some of the topics I enjoy talking about. I am also a much better writer and researcher now. Sadly, my undergraduate degree was heavily focused on skills and knowledge about business and quantitative reasoning, more so than writing. If you pursue a political science degree, you will write and do so a lot. You will also spend an exorbitant amount of time reading. That goes without saying for most master’s degrees, however.

As a political science major, you will dive deeper into what makes political institutions tick. Why do we have a constitution in America? What does it even do? How does it compare to political systems in other countries, such as the parliamentary system in the United Kingdom? In addition, you will take a look at the policy process. How does an idea go from one person to becoming a piece of legislation? Public policy was singlehandedly one of the most challenging courses I took in my program because of the constant paper requirements. Again, if you like writing, you may love political science more than if you do not. Even if it was difficult at times, it was one of the most valuable courses I took because it taught me how to thoroughly research an important topic with minimal time. This skill is likely to benefit anyone.

An area I was pleasantly surprised to learn so much about was political philosophy. Within my program, we looked at the origins of Western political thought with Plato and Aristotle. To my delight, the many lessons learned from political philosophy carried me throughout the program and constantly reminded me of where many of our ideas originated. Since taking that class, I have developed a love for philosophy beyond politics that has seeped into my personal life. One incredibly thought-provoking idea was Perpetual Peace by Immanuel Kant. Kant’s writing on peace became a massive landmark in political science, specifically international relations, and has undoubtedly been one of the more influential pieces written within the last few hundred years – mainly since it served as a foundation for the League of Nations post World War I and the United Nations after World War II.

Another shock to me is how beneficial political science has been for my work in the Navy. After countless hours learning how and why the founding fathers drafted the Constitution, I have learned the immense value of systems and how to construct one myself. Part of understanding politics is understanding government structure and the reason for that structure. If you dive deep enough into it, you will learn more about the psychological reasons for specific systems and structures in place all around you, whether at work, school, or, most obviously, in the government. The most on-the-nose example would be the checks and balances system in the American government. Although this is something we have all likely learned, you will also learn more about when those checks and balances have faltered, why they did so, and why they may or may not have reverted to what was the previously instated balance. For instance, Congress possesses the power to declare war. When was the last time we declared war as a country? Hint, it wasn’t the many wars in the Middle East, Vietnam, or Korea. That is right; we have not formally declared war since World War II. And why is that? I won’t answer that for you because if you are interested, maybe now is the time to become a political scientist and do some research. All jokes aside, you will learn all sorts of ways the institutions that bind a government to its people alter over time.

If you are driven by an innate desire to make a positive change for the betterment of society, then political science is for you. The skills, knowledge, and lessons learned from a political science degree will help you accomplish whatever goals you strive for. You can find jobs in every sector of the economy. There are obvious roles, such as those in government, but you can undoubtedly find roles in businesses as well. A diverse team of employees that offers a variety of skills and experiences is valuable for any business. By providing writing, research, and analytical skills with knowledge of political systems to a company, you will undoubtedly prove to be a valuable member of that business. This is especially true the higher up you climb the corporate ladder since many executives must constantly make decisions that revolve around policies or taxes implemented by the government.

Conclusion: Is Political Science Right for You?

Whether you’re drawn to debate, interested in policy, or seeking to understand societal systems, Political Science offers a wealth of opportunities. Its blend of theory, analysis, and practical skills can empower you to pursue diverse career paths and effect meaningful change.