Post - Materialism and Political Science Development

In social science area, some think that scientific studies require and content a hidden materialism. They believe a sort of interconnection and synchronization between materialism and scientific studies, however emerging and expansion of post-materialism school reveals that it is not right. In the article it will be endeavored that theoretical foundations of post-materialism, particularly Ronald Inglehart's finding to be explained. Furthermore, I shall try to survey the impact of this school on understanding politics as well as globalization process. The point is how the change in social atmosphere and value system of post-industrial societies have provided some causes in a change in foundation of politics, political needs, the relationship between states and citizens. In the article I will try to explain various views as well as changing theories of post-materialism and its impact on political science in theoretical realm. It is for this reason that we cannot use empirical or quantitative methods, but we shall explain the two main variables, namely emerging post- materialism and changing political knowledge. Of course, in the last part of the article I will explore some of normative inclinations as well as religious trends in Iranian society and endeavor to survey and criticize some of materialistic veins in academic political science in Iran.