What is “Politics”

l E CONCEPT POLITICAL SCIENCE derives its meaning from the interplay of two variables: (1) the state of the organization of knowledge, and (2) the degree of structural differentiation within the framework of human collectivities. With. respect to the first variable, the notion of makes little sense-or at least no precise sense-unless there exist division and specialization in the cognitive endeavor. Thus, it does not make much sense to speak of political as long as science is indistinguishable from philosophy-ie., as long as any and all scire defines itself as love of wisdom. The notion of science, therefore, achieves precision when scientific knowledge has been weaned from alma mater, from philosophical knowledge. Of course, is also different from what is commonly called opinion, theory, doctrine, and ideology. But the first and most fundamental distinction is that between and philosophy.