Political Science Theory Research Articles

The Polarization Loop: How Emotions Drive Propagation of Disinformation in Online Media—The Case of Conspiracy Theories and Extreme Right Movements in Southern Europe

This paper examines the influence of emotions on political polarization, looking at online propagation of conspiracy thinking by extreme right movements in Southern Europe. Integrating insights from psychology, political science, media studies, and system theory, we propose the ‘polarization loop’, a causal mechanism explaining the cyclical relationship between extreme messages, emotional engagement, media amplification, and societal polarization. We illustrate the utility of the polarization loop observing the use of the Great Replacement Theory by extreme right movements in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. We suggest possible options to mitigate the negative effects of online polarization in democracy, including public oversight of algorithmic decission-making, involving social science and humanities in algorithmic design, and strengthening resilience of citizenship to prevent emotional overflow. We encourage interdisciplinary research where historical analysis can guide computational methods such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), using Large Language Models fine-tunned consistently with political science research. Provided the intimate nature of emotions, the focus of connected research should remain on structural patterns rather than individual behavior, making it explicit that results derived from this research cannot be applied as the base for decisions, automated or not, that may affect individuals.

Liberals and Conservatives Rely on Very Similar Sets of Foundations When Comparing Moral Violations

Applications of moral foundations theory in political science have revealed differences in the degree to which liberals and conservatives explicitly endorse five core moral foundations of care, fairness, authority, loyalty, and sanctity. We argue that differences between liberals and conservatives in their explicit ratings of abstract and generalized moral principles do not imply that citizens with different political orientations have fundamentally different moral intuitions. We introduce a new approach for measuring the importance of the five moral foundations by asking U.K. and U.S. survey respondents to compare pairs of vignettes describing violations relevant to each foundation. We analyze responses to these comparisons using a hierarchical Bradley–Terry model which allows us to evaluate the relative importance of each foundation to individuals with different political perspectives. Our results suggest that, despite prominent claims to the contrary, voters on the left and the right of politics share broadly similar moral intuitions.

Health system reform and path-dependency: how ideas constrained change in South Africa’s national health insurance policy process

Path-dependency theory says that complex systems, such as health systems, are shaped by prior conditions and decisions, and are resistant to change. As a result, major policy changes, such as health system reform, are often only possible in policy windows—moments of transition or contextual crisis that re-balance social power dynamics and enable the consideration of new policy ideas. However, even in policy windows there can be resistance to change. In this paper, we consider the role of ideas in constraining change. We draw on political science theory on the dynamic relationship between foreground ideas (policy programmes and frames) and background ideas (deeply held collective cognitive and normative beliefs) to better understand how ideas exert influence independently of the contextual conditions that give rise to them or the actors that espouse them. To do so, we examine two apparent policy windows in the South African National Health Insurance policy process. The analysis reveals how ideas can become institutionalised in organisations and procedures (such as policy instruments or provider networks), and in intangible cultural norms—becoming hegemonic and uncontested ideas that shape the attitudes and perspectives of policy actors. In this way, ideas operate as independent variables, constraining change across policy windows. While health policy analysts increasingly recognise the influence of ideational variables in policy processes, they tend to conceptualise ideas as tools actors wield to drive change. This analysis reveals the importance of considering ideas (values, norms, and beliefs) as persistent features of the policy-making context that constrain actors.

Gradual de-idealisation and progress in political science: a case study

This article contributes to the discussion regarding the relationship between idealisation, de-idealisation and cognitive scientific progress. In this, I raise the question of the significance of the gradual de-idealisation procedure for constructing political science theories. I show that conceptions that assume the reversibility of the idealisation process can be an extremely useful theoretical perspective in reconstructions of political science modelling and analyses of scientific progress in political science. I base my position on the results of the methodological reconstruction of Richard Jankowski’s theory of voting. My reconstruction and results of empirical studies show that by gradually removing simplifying assumptions, models can emerge that more accurately identify the determinants of the voting decision and the corresponding relationships. In the case I analysed, the transition from coarse-grained to fine-grained models likely demarcates the line of scientific progress.

Navigating political terrain: a comprehensive review of leadership theories in political science

Political science is increasingly focusing on the study of leadership factors in its field scope. Therefore, the primary objective of this article is to systematically analyze the use of leadership theories in scholarly publications of political science. This paper also underscores the lack of leadership theories or concepts in political science, offering insights to anyone interested in examining leadership in this academic discipline. This study introduces an alternative framework for analyzing leadership, specifically emphasizing political leadership. Thus, the question addressed in this study is: What leadership theories are applied to the study of political science? This study utilizes the systematic literature review approach, except for the Appraisal Quality stage, to examine political leadership theory and the notion of utilization as discussed in political science. The ROSE protocol is employed in this study due to its suitability for mapping and qualitative studies. Furthermore, PICo is used to formulate research questions in the context of this study. The results of this study, which involved the review of 75 papers, revealed the implementation of leadership theories and concepts in 15 distinct contexts or focus areas. The analysis of leadership in political science places significant emphasis on the dimensions of transformative and transactional leadership styles. Both leadership styles are frequently used in various research contexts. Overall, the prevalence of transformative and transactional leadership theories in political science can be understood as a reflection of the constraints political scientists face in comprehending the nature of leadership within a political context from a scientific standpoint.

AI 거버넌스의 정의와 쟁점 및 발전 과제: 비판적 관점

In the data-driven economy, AI algorithms will eventually drive power interests and value allocation of scarce resources in terms of who gets what, when, and how. However, to date, the decision-making process and internal mechanisms of algorithm-based AI remain “a black box”. Therefore, a critical systematic analysis of the benefits and limitations of AI’s practical utility and applicability, as well as legal and institutional promotion and control measures to enhance transparency in algorithm design, is needed now more than ever. The current structural situation of human oppression, control, and domination by AI power in the name of techno-engineering-based social innovation and development in the age of digital capitalism requires a multidisciplinary approach to governance that utilizes political science, educational politics, and critical theory perspectives. This paper aims to comprehensively review the emerging AI governance definitions, issues, and development plans from critical perspectives.

Cybernetic governance: implications of technology convergence on governance convergence

Governance theory in political science and international relations has to adapt to the onset of an increasingly digital society. However, until now, technological advancements and the increasing convergence of technologies outpace regulatory efforts and frustrate any efforts to apply ethical and legal frameworks to these domains. This is due to the convergence of multiple, sometimes incompatible governance frameworks that accompany the integration of technologies on different platforms. This theoretical claim will be illustrated by examples such as the integration of technologies on the “human platform” as it is referred to in the case of enhanced soldiers. Hence, successful governance might require new approaches borrowed from a distant relative, namely cybernetics. Insights gained from cybernetics for governance theories might be able to give guidance for a more efficient and adaptive governance approach that is able to deal with increasing complexity caused by technology and governance convergence. While cybernetics itself might be considered a governance approach, it has had surprisingly little reception in the wider field of governance within the area of social and political sciences. This article will develop cybernetic governance as a set of expandable governance principles that are applicable to an increasingly complex digital and smart society. It thereby tries to further galvanise what could be termed cybernetic governance theory as a subject of worthwhile insights from the combination of otherwise largely the disjoined fields of cybernetics and governance.

Distribution of Seats in the New 2021 Czech Government Coalition in Terms of Coalition Theories and Power Indices of Political Parties

This study is theoretically anchored in the office-seeking approach and coalition theory of political science. It is based on the most widespread theories of portfolio distribution in executive and legislative bodies (proportionality, power index, voting weights), and it tests these theories using data related to coalition negotiations in the Czech Republic for the new 2021 government coalition, a case of a surplus majority government. The study investigates the distribution of ministerial positions in the government, the office of President (Speaker) of the Chamber of Deputies, and the chairs of permanent parliamentary committees. The analysis also explores the types of electoral coalitions formed; the SPOLU coalition was a superadditive coalition, while the PirSTAN coalition was only an additive coalition. Grounded in the theory of electoral games, the Shapley-Shubik and Banzhaf power indices and the theory of coalition formation are applied in order to analyse the possible minimal winning coalitions that could be formed following the 2021 elections to the Chamber of Deputies.

Exploring the Importance of Sports in Maintaining International Relations

This research explores the transformative role that sports play in fostering positive global connections and promoting peace among nations. By examining various case studies and theoretical frameworks, we aim to establish a strong foundation for understanding how sporting events can serve as catalysts for diplomacy, cultural exchange, and social development. The study will delve into historical examples such as the Olympic Games' impact on post-World War II reconciliation efforts, while also analyzing contemporary instances like the FIFA World Cup's ability to unite diverse communities across borders. We propose that sports have unique potential to bridge gaps between countries, promote mutual respect, and facilitate dialogue amidst complex geopolitical landscapes. Through an interdisciplinary approach combining sociology, political science, and communication theory, our findings will contribute valuable insights towards enhancing international cooperation through sports. Ultimately, this research aims to provide evidence supporting the notion that sports are not merely recreational activities but powerful tools for advancing global harmony and unity.

Causes and consequences of Israel-Palestine war

The war between Israel and Palestine is among the longest-lasting and most intricate geopolitical conflicts of the contemporary period. The dispute, which has its roots in a history of conflicting claims to land and national identity, has resulted in decades of violence, evictions, and political impasse. This study offers a thorough analysis of the Israel- Palestine conflict, emphasizing significant historical occurrences, underlying factors, and current dynamics influencing the conflict. The research follows the rise of rival nationalisms and the 1948 establishment of the State of Israel, starting with the early Zionist movement and the British Mandate era. It looks at the uprooting of Arab Palestinians, the Arab Israeli wars that followed, and the occupation of Palestinian lands, such as the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the study explores the intricacies of religious, cultural, and geopolitical elements that intensify hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians. This research attempts to give a comprehensive view of the Israel-Palestine conflict using an interdisciplinary approach based on political science, historical analysis, and international relations theory. The research aims to provide insight into the historical foundations and current expressions of this ongoing struggle to support educated discourse and attempts to find a fair and durable settlement.

Abiy Ahmed's Domestic Policy in Ethiopia: Securitization and conflict resolution

The subject of this study is a set of political reforms carried out by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from 2018 to the present. The object of the study is the internal political contradictions accumulated in Ethiopia from 1974 to 2018. The purpose of the work is to test the hypothesis that the policy of A. Ahmed is subject to the provisions of the theory of securitization of B. Buzan and O. Weaver and is aimed at transforming the conflict education of Ethiopia into a security regime. The topic of the study is relevant, since Ethiopia is considered by a number of scientists as a potential regional heavyweight capable of stabilizing the Horn of Africa region and ultimately influencing the security of the whole of Africa. Therefore, it is important to study the dynamics of political processes in modern Ethiopia. The research is based on the theory of regional security complexes by B. Buzan and O. Weaver. The methods of work are qualitative content analysis of official documents and expert opinions, as well as event analysis, logical and philosophical assumptions are allowed. A realistic approach is used to analyze the internal political situation in Ethiopia. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the fact that the policy of Abiy Ahmed is analyzed not from the standpoint of historical approaches, but from the point of view of political science theory, which is applied to the political process taking place in our time. The author concludes that the political course of A. Ahmed is determined by the difficult situation in which Ethiopia found itself by 2018. The Prime Minister is trying to stabilize the situation in the country, using his rich experience and professional knowledge, trying to change Ethiopia's position as a conflict entity to a security regime, his internal policy traces approaches based on strengthening the central government, which, from the point of view of the theory of B. Buzan and O. Weaver, makes Ethiopia a functional entity capable of respond to existential threats and develop successfully.

Research on the Reform and Development of Ideological and Political Theory Classes for College Students in the Context of Practical Parenting

Abstract In the context of practical education, deepening the reform of quality education and implementing the fundamental task of cultivating moral integrity have become the guidelines and the basis for the development of curriculum reform in colleges and universities. This study conducts data mining based on the association rule model on the influencing factors of the reform of the Civic and Political Theory Course in colleges and universities to obtain the key influencing factors in the process of the reform of the theory course. Then, under the perspective of deep learning, the idea of practical parenting is integrated, and the structural framework of Civic and Political Theory course reform is designed from four directions: learning theme, learning objectives, learning activities, and evaluation feedback, and finally, the course reform method of this paper is examined through teaching practice. The results show that the influence weights of self-factors, school education factors, family factors, and social factors are 0.3022, 0.3521, 0.1381, and 0.2076, respectively, with self-factors and school education as the key influencing factors. After the teaching practice, the P-value of each dimension of the students under the curriculum reform based on this paper is less than 0.05, and the grade of the Civics and Political Science Theory course is improved from 81.47 to 90.45, which is an increase of 7.49 points compared with the class of the regular course. The reform method based on deep learning in this study can promote students’ development and improve their academic performance, which provides a reference for the research on the reform and development of the Civics and Political Science Theory course.

Looking for a “Genuine Science of Politics.” William H. Riker and the Game Theoretical Turn in Political Science

This article aims to show how the formal revolution in economics has influenced the developments of rational choice and game theory in political science. Our focus will be on American political scientist William H. Riker (1920-1993). We want to show how Riker used game theory and adapted it to fulfil his disciplinary agenda, contrasting the main trends in postwar American political science. Our thesis is that, in doing so, Riker stressed some aspects of the theory that differed quite sharply from postwar mathematical economics to which game theory belonged. Sections 1 and 2 describe Riker’s education and intellectual life until the late 1950s, showing how he became acquainted with game theory and how American political science as a discipline was changing in that crucial decade. Section 3 presents Riker’s main arguments in The Theory of Political Coalitions, focusing on his working through game theory to produce a suitable model of political coalition-building. Section 4 discusses some methodological aspects of Riker’s commitment to game theory and economic analysis. In particular, we aim to outline and discuss an apparent “dilemma” in his theoretical production, namely his resting on an outdated idea of economics, despite his use of game-theoretic analysis.

An Introduction to Game Theory

Game theory is a branch of mathematics and economics that offers a unique lens through which to analyze strategic interactions among rational decision-makers. This paper provides a concise introduction to the fundamental concepts and applications of game theory. It explores the core components of games, including players, strategies, and payoffs, and distinguishes between normal form and extensive form games. Key classic games, such as the Prisoner's Dilemma and the Nash Equilibrium, are discussed to illustrate core principles. The paper also highlights the diverse applications of game theory in economics, political science, biology, and psychology, showcasing its versatility as a tool for understanding human behavior and decision-making in various fields. Whether you are a student new to the subject or a professional seeking a refresher, this introduction to game theory lays the foundation for a deeper appreciation of strategic thinking and its real-world implications.

Эволюция политики “стратегической неопределенности” США в тайваньском вопросе

The article is dedicated to the analysis of “strategic ambiguity” concept – a tool of U.S. foreign policy aimed at dual deterrence of both mainland China and breakaway Taiwan. Washington stayed deliberately ambiguous in its commitments to defend Taiwan thus leaving Beijing uncertain whether the U.S. will intervene in case of escalation in the Strait, and at the same time not encouraging Taiwanese authorities to declare full independence and sovereignty which would provoke military escalation with mainland China, dragging the U.S. into full-scale conflict with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The article analyzes the roots of this approach during D. Eisenhower’s years in office, its evolution en course and after the Cold War, and its erosion under D. Trump and J. Biden. The article shows that the U. S. President Eisenhower wished to maintain status-quo in Taiwan Strait, fearing that he would either have to turn a blind eye on the communist takeover of Taiwan, or be dragged into conflict with the close ally of Moscow, which would eventually lead to the war with the USSR. Eisenhower and his administration remained ambiguous in their communications with the PRC (mainland China) and Taiwan, not encouraging the island to declare full independence and at the same time not giving Beijing a carte blanche for military intervention. This approach dubbed in political science and international relations theory as “strategic ambiguity” proved to be useful, and was reinforced during Washington–Beijing rapprochement in 1970s. Under Trump administration, the U.S. started to consider dropping the “strategic ambiguity” policy towards clearer deterrence commitments. This trend manifested via emotional statements made by Donald Trump himself, mostly on social media, as well as through a change of tone in key foreign policy documents and new decisions that signaled a serious revision of the American approach to military cooperation between the United States and Taiwan. This trend continued and exacerbated under Biden administration due to number of bills signed, including the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act (TERA) which de-facto dubbed the contested island as Washington’s “Major Non-NATO Ally” and enabled to boost military supplies. The erosion of the “strategic ambiguity” policy also manifested through various high-profile contacts, including the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit on the island.

Scaling up integrated care: a realist evaluation on the role of country-specific policy dialogues and scale-up roadmaps in Belgium, Slovenia, and Cambodia

Background: The ‘SCale-Up of diaBetes and hYpertension care’ (SCUBY) project aims to support the scale-up of integrated care for diabetes and hypertension in Cambodia, Slovenia, and Belgium through the co-creation, implementation, and evaluation of contextualized roadmaps. These roadmaps offer avenues for action and are built on evidence as well as stakeholder engagement in policy dialogues. These two implementation strategies – roadmaps and policy dialogues – are very much intertwined and considered to be key elements for successful stakeholder supported scale-up. Yet, little is known about how, why, and under which conditions a roadmap leads to successful implementation and scale-up of integrated care. Therefore, the resulting research question is: ‘How, why, and under which context conditions does a co-created scale-up roadmap lead to adoption, implementation, and scale-up of integrated care?’.
 Methods: A realist approach is used towards testing the initial programme theory (IPT) in the three countries. The IPT draws on political science theory of the multiple streams model (MSM) adapted by Howlett and includes five streams (problem, solution, politics, process and programme) that can emerge, converge and diverge across all policy stages. To test the IPT, information from different sources was collected. Firstly, qualitative interviews were conducted with the researchers in the SCUBY country teams as well as with key stakeholders (health facility managers, policy makers, civil servants, professional medical and patient associations, NGOs, and implementers). Secondly, a document review of grey literature, meeting reports, and official documents was performed. Finally, a workshop was organised with SCUBY researchers from all country teams to refine the IPT. We used the Intervention-Context-Actors-Mechanism-Outcome (ICAMO) configuration to synthesise information into a configurational map.
 Results: In each country case, the project partner’s mandate was key in the approach to scale-up, the design, and content, leading to different mechanisms, scale-up pathways, and outcomes. In Belgium, the (scientific) solutions stream was dominant with creating common understanding as a key mechanism; in Slovenia, the programme stream became the dominant focus whilst exemplifying good practices of patient empowerment; and in Cambodia, the political stream was dominant yet closely knit together with the solutions stream – with knowledge sharing and credibility as key mechanisms. A finding across all three countries was that a lack of political support can derail or slow down scale-up.
 Discussion: This study extends the knowledge base about the use of co-creation in policy dialogues to build a roadmap for scale-up. The roadmaps illustrate how the MSM theory can be used to theorize the policy process of roadmap and policy dialogues in different contexts, aligning the context-dominant stream with the context-specific scale-up strategy. By testing theories in real cases, the theories can be adapted, refuted and/or reconstructed to elicit a refined theory of how and why a roadmap co-created in policy dialogues for scale-up works.

New Reversals in the Theory and Methodology of Political Science: Introducing the Issue

The editorial board presents an issue dedicated to the consideration of topical subjects and variants of methodological approaches in modern political science. The editorial review examines the global trends of turbulence and nonlinearity of development, which pose new largescale tasks for political theory to comprehend new political processes and phenomena. To a great extent, they are associated with the assertion of a “post-non-classical” type of rationality, which requires a revision of established practices, methodologies and research methods. Yet, in conditions of chaos and uncertainty, the potential of political theory remains largely underestimated against the background of a passion for commenting on current politics.

Teaching the Russian War on Ukraine

In this article I discuss an approach to teaching about the Russian war in Ukraine that uses the war as a focal point for teaching about topics in comparative politics and international relations. I discuss the pedagogical advantages for political science teaching, including meeting the interests of students, introducing students to theories in political science, and re-centering courses on the region away from Russia. I then discuss how the various political science topics and research questions are related to the war, and I conclude with a section on assignments and methods for student engagement that work well with this type of course.

From political science to politicizing science? A study of the discipline’s presence in the debates of the United States Congress, 1981–2021

ABSTRACT This article examines how politicians consider political science and political scientists in the United States and more specifically in the United States Congress. The main idea is to examine Congressional debates in the specific timeline starting from the 1980s with an explicit focus on the argumentation of members of Congress. The interest lies in examining how members include references to political science or political theory in the debates and to what extent scholars and their works are cited in the debates. The article contributes to the discussions of political science as a discipline in the United States. Furthermore, it examines how the relationship between political science and politics is not only understood but also defined in the political debates of the United States. The article aims to shed light on how politicians are invoking political science and scholars in plenary session debates in contrast to employing expert statements in committee hearings or in the process of drafting bills and other governmental policies.

Using the multiple streams model to elicit an initial programme theory: from policy dialogues to a roadmap for scaling up integrated care

IntroductionThe ‘SCale-Up diaBetes and hYpertension care’ Project aims to support the scale-up of integrated care for diabetes and hypertension in Cambodia, Slovenia and Belgium through the co-creation, implementation and evaluation...