The State of Political Science in Western Europe

This volume is the definite statement on the current state of political science as a discipline in Western Europe. Detailed and comparable accounts are provided for 17 countries; four chapters portray European developments. Each discipline needs regular stocktaking. To know about the historical development, the organization of teaching and research, professional communication, and the chances of students of political science in the job market is of essential importance to political scientists, university administrators, and policy makers both national, European, and global. This is particularly true after the Bologna Declaration when universities across Europe were asked to adopt (1) a system of easily readable and comparable degrees, (2) a system based on two cycles, (3) the establishment of a common system of credits, (4) to increase student and teacher mobility, (5) to assure quality standards, and (6) to improve the European dimension in teaching. The State of Political Science in Western Europe informs on these general issues and reports country specific developments. The volume is a must for political scientists and for policy-makers with responsibility for the future of political science as an academic discipline.