Political Science Concept Formation (Part II) - David Easton's 'Authoritative Value Allocation'

Abstract

This is the second of three articles on concept formation in our field. Its purpose is to apply the insights gained in Part I to a specific case, to David Easton’s definition of politics as “authoritative value allocation”. The definition is widely used – mainly because formal and substantive aspects of defining are successfully combined. It names primary rather than secondary attributes, features considered to be meaningful (typical, representative, essential). And it arranges them in a coherent manner that, ultimately, rests on an explicit image of Homo politicus. Given such lucidity the definition is a useful tool for scholars in grasping and shaping political reality. It facilitates the identification of phenomena (facts, data) considered to be “political” but also helps with description and explanation. The definition indicates what separates politics from other social pursuits, especially from economics and sociology. Last but not least, the definition promotes professional identity and the development of an epistemic community. It is also useful in integrating important branches of our discipline, the study of government and of international and of supranational politics. The paper ends with a few words about the methodological (cognitive, epistemological) advantages of Easton’s definition.