Poltika in one way or another affects all people. Each member of society, one way or another, is involved in political life regardless of his desire, because he lives in a country where there is a certain political system. Throughout the entire history of mankind, politics has invariably influenced the fate of peoples, countries and the daily lives of people. It is not surprising, therefore, that in 1948, UNESCO recommended introducing the study of political science into the programs of universities - the science of politics, its relations with society and man, and political relations.
Today, political science is massively studied by students of higher educational institutions, not inferior in the popularity of jurisprudence, philosophical and economic sciences. Moreover, political science has perhaps the highest rating in the list of humanitarian disciplines. All this suggests that this subject is interesting to young people, its study and knowledge helps to better navigate in modern society, to adequately perceive all changes in the social life.
Like any other science, political science arose as a result of certain needs of society, therefore, its formation and development is aimed, first of all, at meeting these very needs. What are these needs and what are their conditions? They are determined by the specific functions performed by political science as a science for each individual and society as a whole. They can be reduced to 3 main ones.
Firstly, this is a cognitive function. A process of research and penetration into the mechanism of political life and its laws, as well as explanations, descriptions and evaluations of various political phenomena and events are associated with it. At all degrees of research, political science mainly provides an increase in knowledge about various areas of political life, reveals and reveals the patterns and future of political processes. Theoretical studies subordinate to this form the principles of understanding, cognition of phenomena occurring in politics. Direct researches presenting this science with factual rich material, concrete and detailed information about various spheres of public life are subordinated to this.
Secondly, the function is rational. It is closely connected with the cognitive and allows you to comprehensively consider such a thing as the rationalization of public life. Political science gives an interpretation and detailed explanation of complex and sometimes very complicated political processes, reveals their rational mechanism as the interaction of human interests, goals, ambitions, tasks, etc. As a result, political acts and events become clear and accessible to the understanding and consciousness of each individual.
Thirdly, the function is practical. The utilitarian direction of political science is that it can produce scientifically reasoned forecasts about what development trends await (or can expect) the political life of society. In this case, they usually talk about the prognostic orientation of political science. Political science has the power to give:
- a long-term forecast of the range within which the possibilities of political development of the country at the current stage of history can be indicated;
- show alternative scenarios of future processes associated with any of the selected options for a political event or action;
- provide a calculation of probable losses for each option, taking into account side effects.
More often political scientists make short-term forecasts, where they review (predict) the development of political situations in the regions or in the country as a whole, the prospects and opportunities of various leaders, associations, parties and other political forces.
Based on the basis of political science research, a state policy is being developed in the conditions of which the people of a country live. That is, based on the results of these studies, criteria are formed and highlighted for significant problems of society as a whole, a national, defense and social policy of the government is developed, and social conflicts are resolved.
