Question

Features and significance of normative approach

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Normative approach stipulates that norms or principles are of immense value and importance so far as the determination of policy and decision and their implementation are concerned. 'Is' or 'what' is happening, are important no doubt but every authority must follow these norms and ideals.

The normative approach to political science begins with a set of principles or norms in mind and examines political reality in light of those principles or norms. It comes at politics firmly attached to a point of view and generally seeks to argue from that point of view. Contrast this with an approach that claims to be objective and detached through empirical methods. (Granted, I think both approaches have a host of assumptions and subjectivity built into them, but let’s put that aside for the moment.)

The objective approach seeks to explain reality. In order to do so, it stresses methods that limit bias and strive for verifiability and results that can be reproduced. The normative approach is not content with what is, but examines what reality could or should be based on an external standard.

So, let’s think of the Trump Presidency. A more scientific approach to the administration would focus on explaining how we ended up with a Trump Presidency, how it compares and contrasts to other presidencies, and might focus on the activity and impact of the administration. A normative approach would likely begin with a standard or principle, say, “it is critical for leaders to cultivate virtue in their public lives because virtuous leaders positively influence society.” A normative political scientist might look at Donald Trump and his administration and discern how it measures up to such a standard and then critique it in light of that information, perhaps arguing, in the end, that Americans should consider a candidate’s moral past more carefully when they vote.

In short, normative approaches reach toward questions of “ought” and “should” while other approaches tend to be more descriptive and explanatory in nature.