Political science

Political science is an academic discipline and profession devoted to the systematic study of politics and government.

Origins and development

While the study of politics might be traced back to ancient times, the university discipline and profession of political science are relatively young.

In the United States, the first professor of political science, Francis Lieber, was appointed in 1857 at Columbia University, where the first political science department was established more than two decades later, in 1880.

Professional associations

The American Political Science Association, which was established in 1903, is the largest professional association of political scientists.