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3rd ECPR Conference, Budapest, 8-10 September 2005 Section 17: The Future of Political Science Panel 4: The Use and Misuse of Political Science Panel Chair/Discussant: F. Peter Wagner, American University in Bulgaria Panel outline: The question of the use and misuse of political science has long since been part of how political scientists address the state and future of their discipline. In the context of the East/West conflict, indeed in the broader context of the systemic socialism/capitalism divide that defined the twentieth century, the question itself was clearly part of an ideologically charged partisan struggle. With the demise of state socialism and the East/West conflict, a renewed, non-partisan driven engagement with the question of the use and misuse of political science appears to be possible. At the same time, the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 and their aftermath, especially the "war on terrorism" and the problematic relationship between the "West" and "Islam," make such a renewed engagement necessary. Yet there also can be said to exist a new politically charged and partisan context for such an engagement, attested by such ideas as a "clash of civilizations" and the perceived need for "security" in a supposedly more and more dangerous world. Thus, if anything, political scientists today need to debate the use and misuse of political science: mindful of a troubled and troubling past, in reaction to present problems and renewed calls for "useful" and/or partisan knowledge, and in the attempt to address the question of how their craft can and should intervene in these interesting times. Given the meta-level, reflexive, and cross-sub-fields focus of the panel, contributions are invited from a variety of perspectives and addressing a variety of issues, methodological and/or substantive. Possible themes range from the relationship between quantitative and qualitative visions of political science, the possibility and limits of a critical political science after state socialism, the possibilities and limits of expert knowledge and advice in politics and policy-making, to the classic theme of intellectuals and politics. Thank you very much in advance for your attention and interest. Kind regards, Peter __________________________________ Dr. F. Peter Wagner Assistant Professor of European Studies The American University in Bulgaria 2700 Blagoevgrad Bulgaria Tel. (office): 00359-73-888-460 Fax (office): 00359-73-880-828 Tel. (home): 00359-73-38898 Email (office): [log in to unmask] Email (web/home): [log in to unmask] Webpage: http://www.aubg.bg/faculty/faculty.php Homepage: http://home.aubg.bg/faculty/pwagner