Be a political scientist, solve the nation's and the world's problems

An honours graduate in political science has a wide range of choices in public and private sectors... As well as in government and NGOs.

Albert Einstein was once asked, "Why is it that when the mind of man has stretched as far as to discover the structure of the atom have we been unable to devise the political means to keep the atom from destroying us?" He replied, "That is simple, my friend, it is because politics is more difficult than physics". However, politics in the past five decades has managed, so far, to keep atomic energy from destroying us.

The discipline of political science is fundamentally concerned with the political nature of the problems of the nation and the world, and determining lasting solutions for them. For instance, concerns such as how our society can be distinctly constituted and reproduced in the backdrop of conflicts of interest between diverse social groups and how to choose the best political and philosophical principle so as to realise better policies, programmes and options in terms of distributive justice, are at the core of political science. The subject also focuses on the nature and structure of the government as a decision-making process and those who press their claims on it.

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The writer, an assistant professor, is Head, Department of olitical Science, Ramjas College, University of Delhi.

Secondary Area

Work area/ titles

Work Description

None

Teacher
Researcher
Psephologist

Teaching at school/ college (after MA+ NET)/ university (after MA+NET)
Fellows at research organisations
Election analysis/ surveys

None

Bureaucrat

Managing government

Mass Communication

Journalist

Print media, film, theatre, the art and internet

Public Policy and Development Studies

Policy Expert
Advocacy professional

Working as think-tank in various governmental, non-governmental organisations
UN and its agencies, international NGOs

Law

Advocate
Judge

Lawyers and advocates in courts and private law firms

Management

CEO

Running businesses and private sector organizations

Career options
An honours graduate in political science has a wide range of choice in public and private sector and governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Employers
Government agencies
Colleges and universities
Communications industries
Embassies
Banking sector
Insurance and market research firms
Consulting firms
(International) Non-governmental organisations
Law firms
UN and its agencies
Social work organisations
Public policy organisations
Research organisations

Skill sets required
A political scientist must engage directly and theoretically with national and global problems. Also, must be able to confront the analytic and pedagogic issues necessary for the transformation of civil society. The study of political science involves theoretical thinking and critical judgments. S/he should require the following skills:

Ability to grasp political problems
Ability to contest, debate and confront political issues
Ability to critically evaluate
Ability to interpret and explain political ideas
Ability to connect between abstract and concrete
Cogent, rational and systematic thinking
Frame policies about social welfare

Best institutes
Five best colleges in Delhi:
Hindu
Jesus & Mary
Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR)
Miranda House
Ramjas

Five best colleges in India:
LSR, Delhi
Loyola, Chennai
Presidency, Kolkata
Ramjas
Xavier's, Kolkata

Colleges in both categories are in alphabetical order.