The specialist in political science is called a political scientist. Political science, for its part, is the science dedicated to the study of politics (the design and execution of public actions for the organization of society).
It can be said, therefore, that the political scientist is the person who is the expert in politics. Generally, this designation is given to those who have graduated in political science. In any case, the term is also used at a general level with reference to those individuals who, beyond their formal or academic studies, show a great knowledge of politics.
To become a political scientist, it is necessary to have notions of sociology, economics, history and other social sciences. The political scientist is in a position to analyze and classify different political systems.
The power relations established between citizens, the characteristics of the institutions, the election processes, and the forms of access to government are some of the topics of interest to political scientists.
Even before political science existed as a science that is studied at the university level, many philosophers were regarded as political scientists throughout history. Homer, Aristotle, Plato, Plutarch and Nicholas Machiavelli, among others, can enter this group.
Much closer in time, intellectuals like Hannah Arendt, Harold Lasswell, Norberto Bobbio, and Robert Alan Dahl are often singled out as pioneers of modern political science.
The political scientist, at present, is trained to work in various sectors of public administration and the field of institutional relations. You can also work as a journalist, teacher or researcher.
What makes a good political scientist?
The political scientist is dedicated to studying, analyzing and influencing the various social relations from those of power. He has training in subjects such as Public Administration, Economics, History, Sociology, International Relations and Law, which allow him to observe his environment in a global and critical way.The vision of the political scientist places him in a position from which he can understand complex questions; In the private sector, he is a professional who is usually in charge of detecting needs, planning objectives, setting out strategies, and designing and managing teams and projects. He is a key figure within institutions and public service organizations, thanks to the fusion of these capacities with a deep knowledge of the way in which the political system and Public Administration function.
Let's look at some of the skills of a political scientist:
* problem solving and ability to negotiate;
* attention to detail;
* ability to synthesize, analyze, relate concepts and self-evaluation;
* good predisposition to work with other people;
* openness to critical thinking and great imagination;
* curious spirit and interested in everything that surrounds him;
* adaptability, sociability, tolerance and versatility;
* taste for reading and good memory.
As can be seen by reading the previous paragraphs, the political scientist is characterized by being a professional capable of observing the details around him, analyzing them and taking advantage of them in the study of various phenomena of interest to the social and political spheres. In addition, he is a figure with ease to work in a team and with enough determination to carry out a project from a leadership position.
The political scientist analyzes the political and social reality of his environment, to then evaluate and implement various public policies. A taste for reading is essential, since his work requires him to acquire a large volume of concepts that can only be found in thick volumes; in the same way, many professionals in this field become leading authors of political science.