A Relational Political Science

Political science is diverse in its methods, theories, and substantive interests. A quick perusal of our flagship journals reveals just how heterogeneous we are, with articles ranging from mathematical treatments of theoretical problems to textual exegesis of Plato, and qualitative studies of single countries standing in contrast to quantitative analyses of experiments designed to mobilize voters. At times, the discipline's boundaries are so fuzzy that our territory is alternatively claimed by philosophers, anthropologists, economists, sociologists, and psychologists. Yet we persist, leading many of us to search for the common thread that binds us together. And while we do not agree on many things, we would probably all agree that one such tie among political scientists is an emphasis on power, understanding how and why it is used. We all are inherently interested in the exercise of power between and among individuals and groups and the implications this holds for social outcomes. We contend that this unifying concept is, at its very core, relational. For any individual actor or institution to meaningfully exercise power, it can only be define