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Scholasticism in Political Science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 June 2010

Lawrence M. Mead
Lawrence M. Mead
Affiliation:
New York University
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Abstract

Criticism of trends in political science centers on specific methodologies—quantitative methods or rational choice. However, the more worrisome development is scholasticism—a tendency for research to become overspecialized and ingrown. I define that trend more closely and document its growth through increases in numbers of journals, organized sections in the American Political Science Association, and divisions within the APSA conference. I also code articles published in the American Political Science Review to show a growth in scholastic features in recent decades. The changes affect all fields in political science. Scholasticism serves values of rigor. To restrain it will require reemphasizing relevance to real-world issues and audiences. To do this should also help restore morale among political scientists.

Type
Research Article
Information
Perspectives on Politics , Volume 8 , Issue 2 , June 2010 , pp. 453 - 464
Copyright
Copyright © American Political Science Association 2010

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Explanatory files

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Journal data for Figure 1

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APSA Member and Section Data for Figures 2 and 3

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APSR Articles by Methodological Orientation and Field

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Averages from APSR Coding for Figures 4 and 5

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