Political Science

Few, if any, political scientists predicted early on that Donald Trump would be the leading Republican candidate in the 2016 GOP primary. 27 percent of American political scientists don't believe in the existence of God, indicating that a surprisingly low number of political scientists identify as atheists. Compared to medical science which has many effective medicines and surgical procedures, the social science of political science is often unreliable.

Political science is the study of politics and related concepts. It is a social science.

## Contents

* 1 Political realignment
* 2 Political scientists and belief in God
* 3 See also
* 4 Notes

## Political realignment[edit]

A "realigning election (often called a critical election or political realignment) is a term from political science and political history describing a dramatic change in the political system."[1]

## Political scientists and belief in God[edit]

See also: Atheism and science

According to Livescience.com, 31 percent of social scientists don't believe in the existence God. Among social scientists, 27 percent of political scientists don't believe in the existence of God, indicating that a surprisingly low amount of political scientists identify with atheism.[1]

NBC News reported: "In the survey of 1,044 doctors nationwide, 76 percent said they believe in God, 59 percent said they believe in some sort of afterlife, and 55 percent said their religious beliefs influence how they practice medicine."[2]

Compared to medical science which has many effective medicines and surgical procedures, social science is often unreliable. Few, if any, political scientists predicted early on that Donald Trump would be the leading Republican candidate in the 2016 GOP primary.

The political scientist Emily Thorson wrote at the Politico website:

“  |  Late last semester, a student showed up during my office hours. She sat down across from me, looking worried. I assumed she wanted to discuss her upcoming paper, but she had something else in mind. “Professor,” she said. “How did Donald Trump happen?”

This is the question everyone seems to be asking these days. Trump’s rise has defied the predictions of pundits and pollsters, repeatedly embarrassing those who swore that he would flame out. I’m a political scientist, and I count myself among that number. In September, I offered my students a $500 bet that he wouldn’t become the Republican nominee — a wager I’m increasingly glad that none of them took me up on.[3]

|  ”

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## See also[edit]

* Aaron Wildavsky
* Scientists and belief in the existence of God

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ Scientists belief in God varies starkly by discipline, Livescience.com
2. ↑ Most doctors believe in God, NBC News
3. ↑ 5 Political Myths Trump Is Exploding by Emily Thorson, Politico