Political scientists who study international relations are attempting to
A) seek genuine "laws of nature" about politics, which have no exceptions.
B) perform laboratory experiments in order to control the variables they are studying.
C) establish cogent formulas for understanding political events and phenomena.
D) discern generalizable tendencies in the patterns of international affairs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Political scientists who study international relations aim to discern generalizable tendencies in the patterns of international affairs. They seek to understand the complex interactions among states and other actors in the international system and identify recurring patterns and themes. However, international relations is a social science, and as such it is difficult to identify laws of nature or to use laboratory experiments as a way of understanding political phenomenon. Instead, scholars use theoretical frameworks, historical analysis, and empirical research to study international relations.

Political Scientists Who Study International Relations Are Attempting to