Strategic references to political science in Austrian parliamentary debates

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article studies the image of political science in Austria by tracing and analysing references to political scientists and their research in parliamentary debates. Since they were first established in Austrian universities in the 1960s, the social sciences and especially political science have been contested and sometimes accused of being forms of political (left-wing) ideology. This politicization has given references to political science a potential rhetorical value in parliamentary debates between oppositional and governmental factions. The parliamentary records of the Austrian Parliament (National Council) were searched for references to political science and several were found from 1966 until 2021. An analysis of these results identified three main rhetorical strategies at work in references to political science in plenary debates. The declining use of these strategies over time indicates a growing acceptance of political science and a positive view of political science expertise. Nevertheless, in recent debates right-wing populist parliamentary members in particular have continued to perpetuate and reinforce a negative image of political science and political scientists.