Study Questions for Stoker and Marsh

  1. What is the primary aim of the book? How do the authors intend to present their arguments?
  2. Explain the significance of normative thought in political science. Why is it significant?
  3. What are the five main questions that the authors intend to ask in the book? Why are these pertinent to their study?
  4. Why is it necessary to study a diverse amount of viewpoints when studying political science? How do the authors define this diversity?
  5. How do the authors expand the contemporary pluralist notion? Is their expansion credible? How convincing are they?
  6. What do the authors mean in saying that the study of political science should be “eclectic and synergistic”?
  7. What is the usefulness of the table? Why do the authors include it? What is the main point in using it?
  8. What is the nature of political science? How do the authors define the “political”? How convincing are they in this definition?
  9. How does one scientifically approach politics? How valid is politics as a science? What do the authors think? What kinds of problems arise in categorizing politics as a science?
  10. What is the role of power in political science?
  11. Describe the importance of epistemology and ontology in political science. How is it possible for more than one research tradition to share the same epistemology and ontology?
  12. What are the issues related to the relationship between normative theorizing and the practice of politics? How does each research tradition approach relationship?
  13. How many methods are there for acquiring knowledge about politics? How distinct are the various methods?
  14. What method is best for the study of American politics?

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

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