The Decline of Political Theory in the Mid-20th Century: Causes and Consequences Introduction The mid-20th century witnessed a marked decline in political theory, particularly in its normative dimension, within the broader discipline of political science. This period was characterized by the ascendancy of behaviouralism, the scientific turn in social sciences, and a growing emphasis on … Continue reading Evaluate the intellectual and historical factors contributing to the decline of political theory in the mid-20th century. How did the rise of behaviouralism, scientism, and empirical approaches marginalize normative inquiry, and what were the implications for the discipline of political science?