RC33 organises a special session on "Political science: current performance and future strength" at the IPSA Montreal congress. This paper outlines five key points for discussion during the session. Its empirics are based on a book series, initiated by RC 33 and published between 2006 and 2012, on the development and current state of the various sub-disciplines, asking the question of ‘why we are where we are’ in political science.
Events
17Jul
RC33 Special Session: "Political science: current performance and future strength"
15:10 - By Thibaud Boncourt - Events
16Jul
RC33 sessions at the IPSA Montreal Congress
11:30 - By Thibaud Boncourt - Events
The RC is organizing three panels at the IPSA Montreal Congress:
- Political Science in the Public Space;
- Political Science in Latin America;
- Paradigms and Historiography in Political Studies.
We will also have a joint panel (Governance, the State and Making Sense of Governing) with RC31 (Political Philosophy) and RC32 (Public Policy and Administration). In addition, there will be a Special Session on “Political Science: Current Performance and Future Strengths”, which the RC has organized for the Congress.
The detailed program is in the enclosed file.
We look forward to seeing many of you there!
02Dec
RC33 Workshop in Helsinki, December 2013: "The state of political science: diversity or unity in a globalising world?"
18:00 - By Thibaud Boncourt - Events
RC33 will organise an open workshop (four sessions) in Helsinki on 12-14 December. The workshop title is "The state of political science: diversity or unity in a globalising world?".
Workshop abstract
Our knowledge about the state of political science needs constant updating. A number of studies focusing on the discipline in different countries have appeared in recent years (e.g. papers in the IPSA 2008 world conference in Montréal). However, higher education and research structures are changing so rapidly today that many of the studies have already become outdated. Most studies are also general accounts of political science in different countries. Important as these are, there is also a need for more specific analyses. That is why the workshop will focus on the state of political science from three different perspectives: 1) the impact of recent political and economic developments on political science as a discipline, 2) the impact of recent developments in education and research on political science as a discipline, 3) the state of political science from the perspective of its sub-fields. Some of the more detailed topics include: What are the conditions for political science research under authoritarian regimes? Has the recent financial crisis changed the conditions for political science research? Have the development of the global academic market place and the marketization of higher education affected political science as a discipline? How do new educational policies, higher education reorganizations and changes in disciplinary associations affect political science as a discipline? How does political science cope with the rise of interdisciplinary studies? What is the current state of political science sub-fields (e.g. electoral studies, gender studies, international relations, political theory).
A detailed programme can be downloaded from the conference website.