Shared Root but Divided Paths:American Political History and Political Science
The kinship between American political history and political science has been deeply imprinted on the two disciplines from the very beginning.American historical studies in early years had always centered on political research,and historians collaborated with political scientists to study historical politics.However,as both disciplines became more scientific and professionalized,history and political science gradually separated.The resumption of their cooperation can be attributed to the widespread application of social science methods in both disciplines after World War Ⅱ.In the 1970s and 1980s,with the revival of narrative in history and the internal fragmentation of political science into trivial political segments and a move towards post-behaviorism.Political history and political science once again diverged.Despite all the division and integration,history has extensively borrowed concepts and methods from political science,and political science has also recognized the necessity of borrowing insights from history for its own development.This led to both disciplines'renewed attempts at collaboration in the 1980s and 1990s.Political science started to explore new fields such as historical institutionalism and research on American political development,aiming at reclaiming its historical roots.Historical research in fields such as policy history also extensively draws on political science's theories and methods.The interactive relationship between the two disciplines is crucial for our understanding of American political history and the development of American historiography as a whole.By tracing the entire process of interaction,separation,and reunion between American political history and political science,we can also provide a perspective on the future directions of American political history.
万方数据
维普
