‘Credo of Relevance’ in post-behaviouralism advocates the importance of action science. Analyze.
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Route 1 1969 APSA address → behaviouralism perfected technique, lost relevance (“ivory towers”).
Route 2 1960s crises unanswered → knowledge committed to use = action science.
Easton’s “genuine revolution, not a reaction…” → twin watchwords: relevance + action → keeps method, adds values → relevance before precision → brute realities → protect human values → politicise the profession.
Beardsley: false science-vs-relevance dichotomy; still leans on systems theory. Waldo: “raving, rumbling structure”.
Route 1 knowledge must serve action — science committed to human purpose.
Route 2 a redirection, not a surrender.
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
Also asked on this head
Political Theory — 10 questions in the Vault.
- Comment on decline of political theory. (150 words)
- Comment on Post-Behavioural approach. (150 words)
- Discuss the significance of a normative approach to political theory.
How this is taught
The same flow snapshot, built for every head of the syllabus, with the answer written in class.
The first session of Foundation 2027 is published in full.
Six programmes across three levels.