The Science in Brazilian Political Science

Abstract:

Although fundamental to its identity, no systematic studies have been made to measure the dominant conception of science in Brazilian Political Science and, in turn, the scientific character of its academic production. This gap is even more critical when professional identities are established incorporating a specific conception of science. To address this gap, the article employs a pragmatist approach to identify the dominant conception of science in Brazilian Political Science and, with this conception in hand, to rebuild the scientific character of the discipline. To do this, we analyzed the production of 23 national journals of the A1, A2 and B1 strata, listed in the Qualis for Political Science. In the first place, we verified that the value of the journals (measured with the Qualis, the impact factor and the tie to Political Science) varies with respect to an orthodox conception of science (empirical orientation, the nature of the evidence, use of statistics, presentation and hypothesis testing, causality and nomothetic orientation). Then, with this conception in hand, we assess the scientific character of journals, thematic areas, approaches, and disciplinary traditions. Finally, we discuss some risks of this state of affairs: (i) to enthrone a specific conception of science in the disciplinary identity and (ii) to equate logical positivism with the study of formal political institutions.

Keywords:
Brazilian political science; Conceptions of science; Academic production; Disciplinary traditions; Professional identity