At the university I studied at it was still called "Government". I suppose the "science" is to make a distinction between the "practice of" and the "study of".

At the university I studied at it was still called "Government". I suppose the "science" is to make a distinction between the "practice of" and the "study of". If you study history you are a historian, but if you study politics you are not a politician (usually), so I suppose you have pick something academic sounding.