KEYWORDS Post-behavioralism; Ideological imperialism; scienticism; multivariate analysis; micro-politics; intellectual adventurism; behavioralism

Abstract This paper while acknowledging the academic excitement caused by respective intellectual efforts of various scholars in their analytical discussions of the history of political science and, its growth, specifically focused on the behavioural approach. Our analysis shows that the behavioural approach has consistently sought to make political science very quantitative and scientific. And, that, it places emphasis on micro politics (i.e. the study of political actors and processes) - rather than the formal institutions of government. In the process, the paper highlights the history of the approach paying deserved attention to the debate that characterised its growth as well as its features. The paper contends that inspite of various criticisms against the approach, it has had and will continue to have an enduring impact on political science as a discipline that studies the wherewithal of our political existence as political animals.

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