Aristotle is widely regarded as the father of political science. He was a Greek philosopher (384–322 BCE) whose work "Politics" laid the foundation for the systematic study of political philosophy, government structures, citizenship, and the nature of the state

. Aristotle was one of the first to provide a practical and scientific approach to political science, emphasizing empirical observation over pure philosophical reasoning

. His classification of governments into monarchy, oligarchy, and democracy and his discussions on justice, citizenship, and the ideal state have profoundly influenced political thought and modern political science

. While Niccolò Machiavelli is often called the father of modern political science due to his focus on political realism and power dynamics, Aristotle remains the foundational figure in the discipline as a whole

. In summary:

• Aristotle is the father of political science for his pioneering work in defining and analyzing political systems scientifically.
• His major work "Politics" continues to be a cornerstone in political theory.
• Machiavelli is recognized as the father of modern political science for his contributions to political realism, but Aristotle's influence is more foundational and broad.

Thus, Aristotle holds the primary title of the father of political science