@MLClark Glad to hear you're better. Hope you got some rest.
Political theory?!
Is political science "science," true or false? Go. π
Only under the archaic definition of science, before the emergence of post-Enlightenment empirical rigor necessitated a stricter division of the concept into (modern) "science" and "philosophy". :)
Political theory is definitely what I'm wrestling with today. What's in your queue?
@MLClark Great answer. My answer was short and snarky:
"It's not a science, it's a dark art."
I remember my Intro to PSCI class. The textbook argued that all politics can be reduced to systemic models.
Once I got into politics, I realized that was a crock. I'll text you a story later about a defrocked U.S. Senator from CA who spent the day with us.
Worked on my book yesterday, into the meaty stuff.
@MLClark Hayakawa campaigned on the promise that, if elected, he would do nothing! He said he would sleep on the Senate floor.
The CA GOP ran ads linking Tunney to Ted and Chappaquiddick, claiming he was an irresponsible playboy who did nothing in DC (untrue).
Despite leading in the polls (I went to his final rally, in Riverside), Tunney lost 50.1%-46.9%.
About six months later, the UCR Poli Sci department held a Saturday seminar with Tunney ... (2/x)
@WordsmithFL @MLClark oh yeah. I know those stories. Can't tell some of them publicly because...powerful people.
@MLClark Even though it had been six months, he was still stunned and grieving. He couldn't understand why the electorate ignored the record and voted for someone who openly proclaimed he intended to do nothing for them. I felt so sorry for Tunney.
I always remember that as the day that I learned politics is not a science, it's a dark art.
He was also the first of many candidates I supported over the years who lost. If you want to be with a winner ... don't take my advice. π Fin. (3/3)