POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY

Scope & Guideline

Fostering Innovative Perspectives in Politics

Introduction

Welcome to the POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of POLITICAL SCIENCE QUARTERLY, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN0032-3195
PublisherOXFORD UNIV PRESS
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited States
TypeJournal
Converge1968, 1980, from 1996 to 2024
AbbreviationPOLIT SCI QUART / Polit. Sci. Q.
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressGREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

Political Science Quarterly serves as a critical platform for the analysis and discussion of contemporary political issues, integrating a wide range of methodologies and theoretical frameworks. The journal emphasizes rigorous scholarship that informs both academic and public discourse, making substantial contributions to the field of political science.
  1. Political Behavior and Public Opinion:
    The journal frequently explores how public attitudes and behaviors shape political outcomes, including voting patterns, civic engagement, and the influence of misinformation.
  2. Comparative Politics:
    It analyzes political systems, institutions, and processes across different countries, focusing on issues like governance, democratization, and political culture.
  3. International Relations and Global Politics:
    The journal examines the dynamics of international relations, including power shifts, conflict resolution, and global governance, particularly in the context of rising powers and geopolitical tensions.
  4. Political Theory and Ideology:
    Contributions often delve into the philosophical underpinnings of political systems, exploring concepts such as democracy, authoritarianism, and the role of ideology in shaping policy.
  5. Public Policy and Administration:
    The journal addresses the intersection of politics and policy-making, evaluating the effectiveness of governmental responses to social issues and crises.
  6. Social Movements and Political Change:
    It highlights the role of grassroots movements in challenging political norms and advocating for social justice, examining the implications for democratic governance.
The journal has recently embraced a range of trending and emerging themes that reflect the evolving landscape of political science. These themes often address contemporary issues and challenges faced by societies globally.
  1. Polarization and Political Divides:
    A significant increase in research addressing political polarization, particularly in the context of the United States, has emerged, reflecting growing concerns over societal divisions and their impact on democracy.
  2. Impact of Technology on Politics:
    There is a rising focus on how digital technologies, including social media, influence political communication, public opinion, and electoral processes, highlighting the intersection of technology and politics.
  3. Climate Politics and Environmental Policy:
    Emerging scholarship on climate change and its politicization indicates a growing recognition of environmental issues as central to political discourse and policy-making.
  4. Identity Politics and Social Justice Movements:
    The journal has seen an uptick in articles examining the role of identity politics, including race, gender, and sexuality, in shaping contemporary political movements and public policy.
  5. Global Health and Security:
    Recent publications highlight the interplay between global health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and political stability, illustrating an increased attention to health as a critical component of security and governance.

Declining or Waning

While Political Science Quarterly continues to thrive in many areas, some themes have shown signs of declining prominence in recent publications. This shift may reflect broader changes in political discourse and emerging priorities within the field.
  1. Historical Political Analysis:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in articles focusing on historical political analysis, as contemporary issues and immediate political challenges increasingly dominate discussions.
  2. Traditional Electoral Studies:
    While electoral studies remain important, the focus on conventional electoral behavior seems to be waning in favor of broader discussions on political polarization and its implications.
  3. State-Centric Approaches to International Relations:
    The journal's recent trends indicate a shift away from state-centric analyses towards more nuanced discussions of non-state actors and global networks in international relations.
  4. Quantitative Methods in Political Science:
    Although quantitative methods have been foundational, there appears to be a growing preference for qualitative and mixed-method approaches, suggesting a decline in purely quantitative studies.

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