Study Questions for Easton

  1. What is the author's main point?
  2. What are the components of behavioralism?
  3. What are the problems with behavioralism?
  4. How would Ball characterize what Easton calls "loss of focus"?
  5. What did behavioralism neglect? How was this neglect remedied?
  6. What does Little call each of the postbehavioral responses to behavioralism?
  7. What are the advantages and disadvantages to a "lack of a core" in political science?
  8. What are some problems with the rationality model?
  9. What is wrong with positivism?
  10. How do postmodernist approaches apply (or not) in political science?
  11. Why should we integrate various disciplines? What hinders integration?
  12. According to Easton, what (current) political science research is "good" or even "adequate"?
  13. Why does any of this matter to political scientists?

Things to look for/keep in mind for future readings:

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