1. Introduction
The Behavioural Approach is one of the most important approaches in the development of modern Comparative Politics. It emerged as a significant movement in political science during the 1920s and gained prominence after the Second World War, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s.
Traditional approaches to political studies mainly focused on constitutions, laws, political institutions and formal structures of government. In contrast, the Behavioural Approach shifted attention towards the actual political behaviour of individuals and groups—how people vote, why they participate in politics, how political attitudes develop, and how political decisions are made.
The approach sought to make political science more empirical, scientific and systematic by studying observable political behaviour through research, surveys, statistical analysis and other scientific methods.
2. Meaning and Definition
The Behavioural Approach is an approach to political science that studies the actual behaviour of individuals and groups in political situations rather than concentrating exclusively on formal political institutions and constitutional rules.
It examines political phenomena through observable facts, empirical evidence and systematic research.
In simple words: The Behavioural Approach studies what people actually do in politics, rather than merely what political institutions are supposed to do according to law.
For example, instead of studying only the constitutional powers of a legislature, a behavioural researcher may examine how legislators vote, how party loyalty influences their decisions, and how public opinion affects legislative behaviour.
3. Historical Background and Development
The development of the Behavioural Approach can be understood through three broad stages.
A. Early development
During the early twentieth century, some political scientists began to question the exclusive reliance on legal and institutional analysis. They argued that understanding political life required the study of real political processes and human behaviour.
B. Behavioural Revolution
The approach developed rapidly in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. Scholars increasingly adopted surveys, interviews, statistical techniques and empirical observation to study political behaviour.
The Second World War and the expansion of social science research encouraged the use of systematic and evidence-based methods.
C. Institutionalisation and criticism
By the 1950s and 1960s, behaviouralism had become a major movement in political science. However, critics argued that its emphasis on measurable behaviour sometimes neglected values, ideology, history, power inequalities and pressing social problems.
During the late 1960s, the post-behavioural movement emerged, calling for greater attention to the relevance of political research and its responsibility towards society.
4. Major Features of the Behavioural Approach
1. Study of political behaviour
It focuses on the actual political activities of individuals and groups, including voting, political participation, protest, leadership and decision-making.
2. Emphasis on empirical research
Political arguments should be supported by observable evidence, systematically collected data and verifiable findings rather than speculation alone.
3. Scientific methods
It uses research methods such as surveys, interviews, observation, case studies, statistical analysis and hypothesis testing.
4. Search for regularities
Behaviouralists attempt to identify recurring patterns in political behaviour and develop generalisations that may help explain political phenomena.
5. Quantification
Where appropriate, political attitudes and behaviour are measured numerically—for example, through voting percentages, opinion polls and participation rates.
6. Interdisciplinary approach
It draws on sociology, psychology, economics, anthropology and other social sciences to explain political behaviour.
7. Value-neutrality
Behaviouralists traditionally argued that empirical research should distinguish factual explanation from moral judgement. They sought to reduce the influence of researchers’ personal values on their findings.
This does not mean that all political research can be entirely value-free; rather, it reflects an aspiration to conduct research objectively.
8. Individual and group behaviour
It studies both individual political choices and the influence of groups, social networks, political parties and other collective actors.
5. Major Thinkers and Their Contributions
1. Charles E. Merriam
Merriam was an important precursor of behaviouralism in American political science. He encouraged empirical research and the use of methods from psychology and other social sciences to understand politics.
2. Harold D. Lasswell
Lasswell applied psychological insights to politics and studied political personality, propaganda, political communication and power. His famous formulation, “Who gets what, when, how?”, highlights the distribution of power and resources.
3. David Easton
Easton helped systematise the study of political science and articulated the behavioural movement’s methodological commitments. He later criticised behaviouralism’s excessive concern with technique and helped advance post-behaviouralism.
4. Gabriel A. Almond
Almond contributed to comparative political analysis by examining political systems, political culture and political socialisation. His work helped connect behavioural research with the comparative study of different political systems.
5. Robert A. Dahl
Dahl made important contributions to empirical democratic theory and the study of pluralism, political participation and power. His work examined how power operates in real political settings.
6. Importance in Comparative Politics
The Behavioural Approach significantly changed the methods and subject matter of Comparative Politics.
- From formal structures to actual practices: It encouraged researchers to examine how institutions function in practice, not just how they are designed.
- Comparative voting studies: It made voting behaviour, party identification and electoral participation important research subjects.
- Political culture and socialisation: It encouraged the study of political beliefs, attitudes and the processes through which citizens learn political values.
- Political participation: It helped explain why some citizens vote, protest or join political organisations while others remain politically inactive.
- Cross-national comparison: It promoted systematic comparisons of political behaviour across countries and societies.
- Evidence-based explanations: It encouraged researchers to test explanations against observable data.
For example, comparing voter turnout in India and Britain involves more than examining election laws. A behavioural study may also investigate education, age, political awareness, party identification and socioeconomic conditions.
7. Limitations and Criticism
Despite its contributions, the Behavioural Approach has faced several criticisms.
1. Excessive emphasis on scientific methods: Critics argue that it sometimes gives more importance to research techniques than to the political problems being studied.
2. Neglect of values: Its aspiration towards value-neutrality may lead researchers to overlook questions of justice, equality, liberty and political morality.
3. Overemphasis on measurable behaviour: Important political ideas, historical experiences and complex social relationships cannot always be measured numerically.
4. Limited attention to institutions and structures: An exclusive focus on individual behaviour may overlook the influence of constitutions, state structures, class relations and institutional power.
5. Difficulty in generalisation: Political behaviour varies across historical, cultural and social contexts. Findings from one society may not apply equally to another.
6. Limited relevance to urgent social problems: Critics argue that political research should not merely explain political behaviour; it should also help address problems such as poverty, discrimination, inequality and political oppression.
These criticisms contributed to the emergence of Post-Behaviouralism, which emphasised both scientific knowledge and the practical relevance of political research.
8. Behavioural Approach and Traditional Approach: A Comparison
| Basis | Traditional Approach | Behavioural Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Institutions, constitutions and laws | Actual political behaviour |
| Method | Historical, legal and philosophical | Empirical, scientific and analytical |
| Sources | Constitutional texts and historical records | Surveys, interviews, observations and data |
| Major concern | Formal political structures | Political processes and behaviour |
| Orientation | Often normative and descriptive | Primarily empirical and explanatory |
| Example | Constitutional powers of Parliament | Voting patterns and legislators’ behaviour |
9. Conclusion
The Behavioural Approach represents a major turning point in the development of Comparative Politics. By emphasising empirical investigation, scientific methods and the systematic study of political behaviour, it expanded the scope of political analysis beyond formal institutions and constitutional arrangements.
Although it has limitations, particularly concerning values, historical context and structural inequalities, its methods continue to influence contemporary political research. A balanced understanding of Comparative Politics therefore benefits from combining behavioural analysis with institutional, historical and normative approaches.
10. Important Questions for Examination
Long-answer questions
- Explain the meaning, development and major features of the Behavioural Approach in Comparative Politics.
- Discuss the contributions of major behavioural thinkers to political science.
- Critically evaluate the Behavioural Approach in Comparative Politics.
- Explain the significance of the Behavioural Revolution in the development of modern political science.
Short-answer questions
- What is the Behavioural Approach?
- Explain the concept of value-neutrality.
- Write a short note on Harold D. Lasswell.
- What is the significance of empirical research in behaviouralism?
- Distinguish between the Traditional and Behavioural Approaches.