The deep dissatisfaction with the nature, scope, methods and conclusions of the traditional Political Science led to the emergence of a revolution-the Behavoural revolution in Politics. This empirical project in political theory was premised on the empiricist theory of knowledge which claims to have the full-blown criteria to test what constitutes truth and falsehood. The essence of this criterion is lodged in the experimentation and the verification principle. When political theory was reeling under this influence, a so-called revolution started and became popular as the ‘Behavioural Revolution’. This revolution reached a commanding position within political theory in the 1950’s and engulfed the entire field of study and research by advocating new features. They included:

• a) Encouragement to quantitative technique in analysis
• b) Demolition of the normative framework and promotion of empirical research which can be susceptible to statistical tests
• c) Non – acceptance and rejection of the history of ideas
• d) Focus on micro–study as it was more amenable to empirical treatment
• e) Glorification of specialisation
• f) Procurement of data from the behaviour of the individual and
• g) Urge for value – free research.

Significance:

1. It specifies as the unit or object of both theoretical and empirical analysis, the behaviour of persons and social groups rather than events, structures, institutions, or ideologies.
2. It seeks to place theory and research in frame of reference common to that of social psychology, sociology and cultural anthropology. In other words, it favours interdisciplinary focus.
3. It stresses the mutual inter-dependence of theory and research. Theoretical questions need to be stated in operational terms for purpose of empirical research. And, in turn, empirical findings should have a bearing on the development of political theory. It is self-consciously theory oriented.
4. It tries to develop rigorous designs and to apply precise methods of analysis to the political behaviour problems. It stands for scientific procedure of research.

Decline:

• Arendt focussed mainly on the uniqueness and responsibility of the human being, with which she initiates her criticism in behaviouralism. She contended that the behavioural search for uniformities in human nature has only contributed towards stereotyping the human being.
• Strauss reaffirms the importance of classical political theory to remedy the crisis of modern times. He does not agree with the proposition that all political theory is ideological in nature mirroring a given socio-economic interest, for most political thinkers are motivated by the possibility of discerning the principles of the right order in social existence. A political philosopher has to be primarily interested in truth.
• Past philosophies are studied with an eye on coherence and consistency. The authors of the classics in political theory are superior because they were geniuses and measured in their writings. Strauss scrutinises the methods and purposes of the ‘new’ political science and concludes that it was defective when compared with classical political theory, particularly that of Aristotle. For Aristotle, a political philosopher or a political scientist has to be impartial, for he possesses a more comprehensive and clearer understanding of human ends.
• Political science and political philosophy are identical, because science consisting of theoretical and practical aspects is identical with philosophy. Aristotle’s political science also evaluates political things, defends autonomy of prudence in practical matters and views political action as essentially ethical. These premises Behaviouralism denies, for it separates political philosophy from political science and substitutes the distinction between theoretical and practical sciences.