How Political Management Differs From Political Science
Often related as disciplines, and even more often confused for the other, political science and political management are two different approaches to similar social systems. Anyone pursuing a political management degree online will need to be familiar with both, and know the difference between them.
What Is Political Science?
Political science is concerned with not only the functioning of systems of government, but also with the analysis of political behaviors and activities. It deals with politics in practice and theory and is commonly thought of as the science of measuring the distribution of both political power and resources.
Political scientists are engaged in the study of relationships and social dynamics underlying political events and situations. From these ruminations, they endeavor to model principles regarding the way political structures function. Political science is a multidisciplinary school of thought that draws upon many other sociological fields such as law, economics, philosophy, sociology, history, psychology, geography, and anthropology.
What Is Political Management?
Political management is a far-reaching and dynamic field that covers numerous activities within the world of professional politics. The discipline includes the study of campaign management, consulting, ad creation & purchasing, opposition research, grassroots political movements, advocacy, lobbying, polling, and fundraising.
Some experts classify political management as an applied form of political science, claiming that any difference between the two is simply the difference between theories of political science and the application of these theories in the real world. If that is the case, then political management is chiefly concerned with the practical mechanics of managing political systems based on the theories of political science- departing from those theories only so far as practicality dictates.
The History of Political Management
Political managers emerged in the early 20th century as U.S. politics moved away from strictly party-centered politics toward a more individual candidate oriented focus. Candidates hired specially trained staff to handle strategic decisions, raise funds, and manage the day-to-day campaign functions.
Initially, public relations firms were trusted to manage political campaigns. Eventually, however, public relations firms that specialize in directing and shaping political campaigns arrived in the 1950s and 1960s.
One of the first such professionals was Joseph Napolitan. He founded the American Association of Political Consultants. In time, consultants specializing in certain aspects of campaigning became more sought after, such as Tony Schwartz. He was the creator of the infamous “Daisy” ad and was one of the first professional political media consultants to focus especially on political campaigns. Polling was one of the earliest political management services sought by campaign managers, followed by massive direct mail efforts to reach voters. Political managers today specialize in a broad array of consulting specialties, such as strategy, direct mail, polling, fundraising, lobbying, web design, and get out the vote initiatives.
Earning a master’s degree through the Political Management program at The George Washington University will enable you to make your way into the dynamic and exciting field of political management- an exciting profession where you can learn to benefit influential movements and to make a positive difference in the world.
Sources
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/political-scientists.htm
http://www.usild.org/Theory-of-Political-Management.html
https://gspm.gwu.edu/political-management
http://politicalmanagementmasters.online.gwu.edu
http://www.medialit.org/reading-room/tony-schwartz-man-who-invented-political-spots
