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The article analyses the fundamental traits of Italian liberalism in the second half of the 19th century. Based on the unique understanding and welding together of different theoretical models (English, French, German), Italian liberalism has been building a "politics of mediation", directly connected to the new parameters of the political-social sciences. The main goal is that of neutralising political conflict, in its more extreme manifestations, with respect to a liberal order that seeks to preserve and defend itself from any risk that might creep into the fabric of democracy.

This paper focuses on the current position of political science in Italian universities. In doing so, it aims not only at providing a purely descriptive account, but also at evaluating the general status of political science in Italy. The analysis of the academic status of a subject helps us to understand what kind of general status it possesses within a country. The number of people teaching political science, the kind of institutions it is taught in, & exactly what is taught, all provide an understanding -- albeit not an exhaustive one -- of some of the essential conditions influencing the real status of political science in Italy. After a brief historical introduction, detailed figures are given regarding the number & distribution of political scientists in Italy's universities, & the courses currently offered in the field of political science are described & discussed. In the second part of the paper, the author gives his views on the current state of Italian political science, which he considers to be not dissimilar to that of other countries, & they subsequently invite the reader to reflect on the need for an increase in its social status. At the same time, some reflections are presented about the risk Italian political science could fall into without a more conscious collective strategy aimed at improving its own position & status in universities. Tables, References. Adapted from the source document.

This article traces the formation of a new discipline -- international political economy (IPE) -- in terms both of concepts & theoretical debates, & of the social process of its institutionalization, as shown by journals, textbooks, course offerings, & Internet Websites. In its first part, this article presents some well-known definitions of IPE & illustrates different types of theory. Special attention is given to Robert Gilpin, because of the importance of his work & the evolution of his thinking about IPE. In the second, the 30-year life of IPE is analyzed to identify the most important events leading to the creation of a new field of social research: the organization of conferences in the early 1970s; the publication of important books written by unorthodox economists like Kindleberger & Hirschman; & theoretical debates. The work of R. W. Cox, which is related to the "Gramscian turn" in international relations, is a particular focus of attention. Finally, the consequences of the "Fourth Debate" on positivism in international relations are considered in terms of the connection of IPE with constructivism, historical sociology, & the "cultural turn" in the social sciences. The third part shows how the debate on IPE has moved from being fully internal to (American) political science, to include general concerns about the social sciences at the beginning of the 21st century. An extensive bibliography follows. 210 References. Adapted from the source document.