Political science is the systematic study of politics. It examines the theory and practice of politics; analyzes political systems, political behavior, and political culture; and studies public policy.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects:

• Theory and Practice: Political science explores both the philosophical ideas behind politics (like justice, liberty, and equality) and how politics functions in the real world.
• Political Systems: This includes studying different forms of government (democracy, authoritarianism, etc.), constitutions, legislatures, judiciaries, and other political institutions.
• Political Behavior: Political scientists analyze how and why people make political choices. This involves examining voting behavior, public opinion, political participation, and the influence of interest groups and social movements.
• Political Culture: This refers to the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that a society has towards politics. It helps explain why political systems operate differently in various countries.
• Public Policy: Political science examines the process by which governments make decisions and implement policies on issues ranging from healthcare and education to the environment and national defense.

Political science uses a variety of methods, including:

• Qualitative research: Interviews, case studies, historical analysis.
• Quantitative research: Statistical analysis of survey data, election results, etc.
• Formal theory: Mathematical modeling of political phenomena.

Political science is a broad field encompassing various subfields:

• Political Theory
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Public Administration
• Public Law

You can find more information from these sources:

• American Political Science Association
• Britannica - Political Science