Behavioural Approach in International Politics – UPSC PSIR Optional & GS Paper-II 2025-26

The Behavioural Approach became a changing point for Political Science as it moved away from abstract theories and focused on observable and measurable political behavior. This approach became important in the mid-20th century, especially in the United States. It stressed using scientific methods, empirical research, and neutral analysis to study political processes. The goal was to make political science a discipline based on strict methods, like the natural sciences. For UPSC aspirants, understanding Behaviouralism is key to grasping how political inquiry has developed and to understanding the foundations of modern International Relations (IR) theory. It is still an important topic in the PSIR Optional and GS Paper-II for UPSC Mains.

What Will You Learn from This Article?

❓What is the Behavioural Approach and how did it evolve in IR and political science?

❓What are the historical origins and milestones of Behaviouralism?

❓Who are the key thinkers associated with the Behavioural Approach?

❓What are David Easton's seven assumptions of Behaviouralism?

❓How does Behaviouralism differ from Post-Behaviouralism?

❓Why did Behaviouralism decline and what led to the emergence of Post-Behaviouralism?

Historical Origin of Behaviouralism

The Behavioural Approach arose in the aftermath of World War II in response to dissatisfaction with the traditional, descriptive methods in political science. Supporters of Behaviouralism such as Graham Wallas and Arthur Bentley, who were among the first to explore political behaviour through scientific lenses. The approach gained momentum with the works of American scholars like Charles Merriam and David Easton, aiming to make political inquiry more empirical, systematic, and policy-relevant.

Graham Wallas and Arthur Bentley

Wallas in Human Nature in Politics (1908) and Bentley in The Process of Government (1908) emphasized studying political behaviour by focusing on groups, emotions, and psychological factors instead of abstract political theories. They advocated for using empirical observation to understand real-world politics.

Charles Merriam

Charles Merriam was one of the founders of the Chicago School. Merriam promoted Behaviouralism as a scientific method which was rooted in observation and experimentation. He criticized earlier political science for being overly philosophical and called for more data-driven, objective analysis.

David Easton

Easton played a pivotal role in defining the methodological core of Behaviouralism. In his work A Framework for Political Analysis (1965), he articulated seven assumptions which formed the philosophical and empirical foundation of Behaviouralism.

Post-WWII Scientific Influence

Post-WWII, scholars sought to apply behavioural insights to rebuild and understand democratic institutions. Behavioralism gained resistance in American universities, as it emphasized neutrality, scientific rigor, value-free analysis, and.

Criticism Leading to Post-Behaviouralism

By the late 1960s, key critics like Leo Strauss and Sheldon Wolin argued that Behaviouralism neglected normative questions and real-world issues, leading to the development of the Post-Behaviouralist movement.

Behaviouralism Important Revision Points for UPSC PSIR Optional Paper & GS Paper-II 2025-26

Here are some important points to remember that cover revision topics of the Behaviouralist approach based on the PSIR optional (Political Science and International Relation) syllabus in UPSC CSE.

⭐Behaviouralism emphasizes empirical and scientific analysis of political behaviour.

⭐Focuses on individuals and groups, not just political institutions.

⭐It arose in post-WWII America as a response to classical normative political theory.

⭐Graham Wallas and Arthur Bentley laid early foundations of Behaviouralism.

⭐Charles Merriam institutionalized it through the Chicago School.

⭐David Easton codified seven assumptions forming the basis of Behaviouralist thought.

⭐Behaviouralism aims for objectivity, quantification, and theory-building.

⭐Verification, quantification, and value-neutrality are its key principles.

⭐It aims to make political science more policy-relevant and problem-solving.

⭐Behaviouralism influenced comparative politics and international relations significantly.

⭐Post-Behaviouralism emerged due to its failure to address real-world crises.

⭐Post-Behaviouralism called for “relevance” and social responsibility in research.

⭐Behaviouralism is descriptive and data-driven; Post-Behaviouralism is action-oriented.

⭐Critics argued Behaviouralism turned political scientists into mere technicians.

⭐Behaviouralism laid the foundation for modern political research methodology.

Seven Assumptions of Behaviouralism [David Easton’s Theory]

David Easton articulated seven core assumptions to distinguish behaviouralism from traditional approaches in political science.

Regularities

Political behaviour exhibits identifiable patterns that can be observed and measured. These patterns help in formulating predictive theories about political actions.

Techniques

Emphasizes the use of scientific methods like surveys, sampling, and statistical analysis to study political behaviour.

Quantification

Data should be quantifiable to enable precise and comparable political analysis. It ensures accuracy in behavioural studies.

Systematisation

Behaviouralist Approach believed that theories should be logically structured and based on clear hypotheses. It helps in creating a cumulative and rational body of political knowledge.

Values

Behaviouralism maintains that value judgments must be kept separate from empirical research. It promotes objectivity and neutrality.

Verification

Hypotheses should be testable through empirical data. This reinforces the scientific nature of political inquiry.

Pure Science

Behaviouralism aspires to develop an objective and value-free science of politics aimed at explanation and prediction rather than prescription.

Prominent Thinkers and Their Ideas on Behavioural Approach

Behaviouralism in IR and Political Science evolved with contributions from various key thinkers. These supporters of Behaviouralism introduced empirical methods, scientific rigor, and a focus on individual behaviour in political systems.

Graham Wallas

A British psychologist and political thinker, he emphasized understanding human nature in politics.

Prominent Ideas:

• Politics is influenced by irrational behaviour.
• Human instincts affect political decisions.
• Rationality must be questioned in political analysis.

Arthur Bentley

An American political scientist, he introduced group theory in politics.

Prominent Ideas:

• Political processes revolve around interest groups.
• Groups are the basic units of political analysis.
• Institutions are secondary to group interactions.

Charles Merriam

Charles Merriam was the founder of the Chicago School and through his ideas, he was instrumental in Behaviouralism’s expansion.

Prominent Ideas:

• Empirical research is key to political science.
• Advocated problem-solving over theory-building.
• Sought to blend normative goals with scientific techniques.

David Easton

A political theorist who framed the foundational assumptions of Behaviouralism.

Prominent Ideas:

• Politics as a system of inputs and outputs.
• Political science must be scientific and systematic.
• Advocated “Credo of Relevance” in later years.

Importance of Behaviouralism

Here are a few most important key ideas of Behaviouralist Approach.

Empirical Orientation - Behaviouralism promotes observation and data collection, shifting political science towards scientific analysis.

Scientific Legitimacy - It helped establish political science as a discipline with rigorous methodologies akin to natural sciences.

Predictive Capability - Behaviouralism focuses on patterns, enabling prediction of political trends and behaviours.

Neutrality - Encourages value-neutral research, free from ideological bias.

Policy-making - Its theories are helpful in crafting evidence-based public policies and governance reforms.

Decline of Behaviouralism - Behaviouralism began to decline in the late 1960s due to various limitations and critiques.

Neglect of Normative Concerns - Critics argued that Behaviouralism ignored fundamental political questions such as justice, power, and ethics.

Overemphasis on Methods - Behaviouralism was criticized of prioritizing methods over substance which reduced political science to statistics.

Failure to Address Real-World Problems - Behaviouralism was criticized for its inability to respond to crises like war, inequality, and injustice.

Rise of Post-Behaviouralism - The growing demand for relevance and activism in political science paved the way for Post-Behaviouralism.

Emergence of Post-Behaviouralism

Post-Behaviouralism emerged as a response to Behaviouralism’s perceived detachment from real-world issues. It called for a politically engaged and socially responsible political science. Thinkers like David Easton emphasized that political inquiry must address urgent societal problems rather than only focus on empirical accuracy. Post-Behaviouralism integrated normative questions with empirical analysis and emphasized action-oriented research.

“Credo of Relevance” in Post-behaviouralism

Post-behaviouralists believed political science should serve society.

• Political science must address pressing real-world issues.
• Social relevance must take precedence over methodological perfection.
• Research should be action-oriented and value-engaged.
• Normative and empirical analysis should be integrated.
• Political scientists must be socially responsible.
• Scientific detachment cannot be an excuse for inaction.
• Methods must be tools, not ends in themselves.
• Policy impact must be considered in political research.

UPSC Mains PYQs on Behaviouralist Approach

These questions are based on previous questions asked on Behaviouralist Approach based on UPSC Mains and GS Paper-II syllabus.

🎯Discuss the basic assumptions of behaviouralism. In what way does post‑behaviouralism differ from behavioural theory? [UPS CSE Mains, Political Theory (PSIR Optional), 1996]🎯Discuss the normative and behavioural approaches to the study of political science and examine the limitations of the behavioural approach. [UPS CSE Mains, PSIR Optional, 1991]🎯Examine the limitations of behaviouralism as an approach to the study of politics. [UPS CSE Mains, PSIR Optional, 1992]🎯Examine the significance of the behavioural revolution in politics. [UPS CSE Mains, PSIR Optional, 2011 (Paper I)]

🎯Examine the importance of behavioural approach in political theory. What led to its decline? [UPS CSE Mains, PSIR Optional, 2021 (Paper I)]🎯Write approximately 150 words on Behavioural approach to Political Science. [UPS CSE Mains, GS (PSIR), 2024 (Paper I)]

Key Difference Between Behavioural and Post-Behavioural Approaches

Here are some of the main differences between Behavioural and Post-Behavioural Approaches.

Main Critics of Behavioural Approach

Here are some of the most important critics and their criticism about Behaviouralism.

Important Books on Behaviouralism (UPSC PSIR Optional & GS Paper II)

Here is a list of most important Behaviouralism books that are relevant to the latest UPSC Mains syllabus and highly preferred by UPSC aspirants.

This article offers a comprehensive overview of the Behavioralist Approach for UPSC aspirants. For UPSC Mains preparation, understanding Behaviouralism provides analytical tools to interpret and evaluate global political dynamics through the lens of power and national interest. Also, download the Testbook App from the Play Store to get more details and unlimited study materials for the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.