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Articles

Celebrating 40 Years: The State of Political Science in South Africa in 2014

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Pages 393-423 | Published online: 19 Nov 2013
 

Abstract

The last state of the discipline survey was done 15 years ago. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Politikon the authors take stock of the transformation of the discipline since 1994 to show how changes in the tertiary education sector have influenced Political Science. Results of a survey of the discipline, which includes academic modules offered in Political Science and International Relations, as well as ratings of academic departments and individual scholars are analysed to show the significant changes that have occurred since the last survey. New and a greater variety of modules are offered, research outputs have increased, as have the numbers of students. On the whole, Political Science scholars are more positive about the discipline than 15 years ago. We conclude by arguing that policy relevance remains an issue and that there is a need for a greater African focus.

Notes

1 The survey of the discipline was a project of Amanda Gouws as the president of SAAPS, 2010–2012. Jo-Ansie van Wyk and Joleen Steyn Kotze helped compile the questionnaire and co-authored the article.

2 The 2013 assessment and 1998 assessment focus on similar themes, and therefore the responses reflect similar identified issues with regard to the themes the questionnaire dealt with remained.

3 Respondents also mentioned the following other international journals: Politics and Gender; Journal of Southern African Studies; Journal of Contemporary African Studies; International Journal of Feminist Politics; Antipode; British Journal of Political Science; Political Behaviour; Law and Social Inquiry; Journal of Politics; American Political Science Review; American Journal of Political Science; Comparative Politics; Comparative Political Studies; Journal of Modern African Studies; Political Studies; World Politics; International Political Science Review; Third World Quarterly; Global Change; Peace and Security; African Journal of Political Science; African Journal of Political Science and IR; Armed Forces and Society; Conflict, Security and Development; Journal of Military History; Gender and Society; Foreign Policy Analysis; International Affairs; Review of International Studies; Journal of International Politics and Development; CAFRAD Journal; Journal for Interdisciplinary Social Sciences; Global Policy; Canadian Journal for Military and Strategic Studies; and the British Journal of IR.

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