Towards a more cosmopolitan political science?

Abstract

The institutionalization of political science can be expected to strengthen cross-national links. The profession developed in most advanced industrialized democracies during the last half century, although the process started earlier in the United States with the creation of the American Political Science Association in 1903 (for the early history see Sniderman 1985; Ricci 1984; Farr, Dryer and Leonard 1995). The growth of the profession in Europe occurred with the creation in universities of separate departments of political science distinct from related disciplines such as law, history, social administration, philosophy, or sociology (for the development of the discipline in Europe see the special issue of EJPR 1991). The nature of the discipline today continues to bear the genes of its parentage: a more historical, sociological and philosophical orientation in many European countries compared with stronger links with social psychology and economics in the United States. Departments of political science formed the building blocks for national professional associations, and regional or international organisations. Following an initiative by UNESCO, the International Political Science Association was founded in 1949 (Trent 1979), and gradually expanded until it links together over forty national associations and about 1,000 individual members worldwide. The main focus of IPSA's activity remains the triennial World Congress which provides the major forum bringing together between 2,000-3,000 political scientists from countries all over the world. IPSA Research Committees and Study Groups, focus on the major sub-fields of research, linking smaller networks of colleagues on a more regular basis through meetings, newsletters, and occasional joint