The Decline of Political Science
The mid-twentieth century witnessed a significant questioning of the relevance of traditional political theory, particularly as new approaches in political science emerged. Alfred Cobban's critique in "The Decline of Political Theory" reflected the belief that political theory had become increasingly irrelevant in both capitalist and communist systems. In these contexts, Cobban argued, bureaucracy and oligarchy overshadowed the role of political theory, reducing its practical significance. Similarly, Seymour Martin Lipset's "Political Man: The Social Bases of Politics" expressed skepticism about the ongoing relevance of political theory, suggesting that the core values of contemporary society had already been established. Lipset’s argument aligns with the idea presented later by Francis Fukuyama in "The End of History," where the end of ideological evolution supposedly leaves little room for traditional political theory. However, this perceived decl…
