Argues that the pattern of growth in the social sciences has been considerably affected by over-exposure and integration into Anglo-Saxon social scientific tradition. This intellectual dependence provided intellectual sterility. The promotion of research has been encouraged more under military-bureaucratic regimes than under civilian administrations. (AFH)
The development of new approaches in recent times has brought about major changes in the study of social and political life. They reject almost everything that has been traditionally accepted, for which they have been severely criticized. But focusing on academic issues alone won't help much. We can understand the new approaches, their concerns, their rejection of science as model, their disdain for objectivity, universality, truth, relevance and so on, more adequately by relating them to the social conditions that obtain in the West. There are, however, major differences between these conditions and those that obtain in countries like India. And the kind of problems facing these countries can be addressed meaningfully by the more traditional approach than by the approaches developed recently. This is why, while it does not seem to have much future in the West, where it originated and continued for long, it may survive, even flourish, in countries like India.
In terms of the numbers of professional social scientists & social science publications, the social sciences are thriving in Japan because of the expansion of higher education & the high literacy rate of the Japanese public. Problems still exist; before these can be discussed, it is necessary to present a brief historical background of the social sciences in Japan from the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912) to the post-war period. The present institutional framework of social science education & research (mainly in the U's) is described. Some of the current issues with regard to the development of the social sciences in Japan are: (1) insufficiency of research funding, (2) excessive reliance on government sources (as opposed to nongovernmental foundations) for funding, (3) rigidity of the faculty system which prevents the establishment of some of the newer disciplines such as cultural anthropology & international relations, & (4) lack of knowledge outside Japan of the work of Japanese social scientists since their works are not published in English. Perspectives for the future are discussed. J. N. Mayer.
A review essay on one of many books by Craig Calhoun. References. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications and Thesis Eleven Co-op Ltd, copyright 2006.]
In 1977 the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences was formed, with 21 institutes covering a variety of areas. The fundamental principles guiding social science research conducted by this institute & other Chinese agencies include integration of theory & practice & the encouragement of diverse viewpoints. While this second policy was suppressed during the Cultural Revolution, it is now once again being supported. W. H. Stoddard.
Má smysl publikovat odborné články v českém jazyce? V následujícím textu se (nejen) na základě zkušenosti šéfredaktora tří v češtině publikovaných odborných časopisů (Politologický časopis: 2003–2006, Mezinárodní vztahy [dále MV]: 2007–2008, Sociologický časopis: 2009–dosud) pokusím shrnout, jaké jsou argumenty ve prospěch publikování v češtině. V současných podmínkách se ale jedná o obtížný úkol jak z hlediska takové argumentace, tak z hlediska samotného publikování českých článků.
