IFCO 2690 - The Limits of Political Analysis

What can we hope to know about politics in general and in the troubled and turbulent times in and through which we are living more specifically? Is a science of politics possible and, if so, what is the nature of that science? What can be done with it? Is that science capable of providing reliable expertise to citizens and policy-makers alike and with what responsibilities is the provision of such expertise associated? What is the role of political analysis today?

This module deals with the use of theory in the analysis of politics, by focusing on the foundations of modern political analysis and the limits they impose. It begins with a consideration of the nature of explanation and understanding in the social sciences before examining a series of key theoretical and meta-theoretical debates within the discipline of political science and international relations (though all have far broader social scientific relevance). Throughout it seeks to show how the ‘stuff of politics’ itself places limits on our understanding of it and how different approaches to political analysis both acknowledge and respond differently to those limits.

Amongst the topics to be covered are the relevance of and relationship between the ‘stuff of politics’ and knowledge of it (ontology and epistemology), the relationship between political actors and the context in which they find themselves (the structure-agency debate) and the role of ideas in political analysis. Whilst the course is structured thematically, each session reviews the theoretical and analytic choices of influential schools of thought within the discipline, considering how arguments are made and defended. A consistent theme developed throughout the course is the public role that political analysis can play in democratic societies and the responsibilities associated with the provision of such expertise.

This module aims to provide an advanced level of understanding of issues related to the theoretical basis and conduct of contemporary political analysis.

By the end of the module students will be able to:

• Display an understanding of philosophical and methodological issues related to the conduct of research in the social sciences and in particular in the analysis of political systems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of key theoretical and meta-theoretical debates in contemporary political analysis in differentiating between the ontological and epistemological limits of political analysis.
• Display an understanding of influential and innovative works in political analysis, appreciating their strengths and weaknesses as well as recognising their analytical differences.
• Demonstrate appropriate cognitive, communicative and transferable skills, including the ability to evaluate advanced concepts and theories, to present reasoned and effective arguments in written and oral form, to pursue independent learning, to show critical judgement and to apply theoretical concepts and analytic perspective to substantive topics of contemporary political significance.

It is a fundamental course. This is an introductory course in the sense that it assumes no prior training in political science. As such, there are no formal prerequisites other than an interest in politics and in political analysis. It aims to accompany students from the first principles all the way to an advanced masters level understanding of the practice of contemporary political analysis. Though the course focuses on political analysis (and its limits) more specifically, it is also interested in social scientific enquiry (and its limits) more generally. It thus seeks to be relevant to students of all social science disciplines. A key focus is the relationship between political science and other disciplines.

The course is structured around eleven weekly lectures of two-hours each after a shorter introduction in the first week. These will be delivered in person. Given the number of students registered for this course, the format will be that of a traditional lecture, but with significant opportunity to pose questions (grouped in clusters). The very first session will be somewhat shorter and aims simply to provide an introduction to the course itself, explaining how it will be taught and assessed.

• Journal article review (30%) – students are required to write a critical review of around 1200 words of one of the peer-reviewed academic articles listed in the appendix to the course syllabus. Full guidance notes will be provided, including briefing notes on the appropriate use of artificial intelligence and its limits.
• Examination (70%) – students are required to write, under exam conditions and without the aid of notes, a short essay of 2000 words in which they explain how one of the concepts (e.g.: power) or pairs of concepts (e.g.: structure and agency) or theories (e.g.: rational choice theory) discussed in the module might inform an analysis of a political subject of their choice. he examination will be of 3 hours and will take place between the 11th and 17th of December 2026 (final date to be confirmed). Again, full guidance notes will be provided.