Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization

This article explores the development of political science as an academic discipline in Ecuador between 2005 and 2019. Three main institutionalization- related dimensions are scrutinized: advancement of training at universities, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels; progression of Ecuadoria...

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Main Authors: Edgar Alberto Zamora-Aviles, María Paz Jervis-Pastor
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Published: Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede Ecuador 2021-05-01
Series:Íconos
Subjects:
Online Access:https://revistas.flacsoandes.edu.ec/iconos/article/view/4667
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author Edgar Alberto Zamora-Aviles
María Paz Jervis-Pastor
author_facet Edgar Alberto Zamora-Aviles
María Paz Jervis-Pastor
author_sort Edgar Alberto Zamora-Aviles
collection DOAJ
description This article explores the development of political science as an academic discipline in Ecuador between 2005 and 2019. Three main institutionalization- related dimensions are scrutinized: advancement of training at universities, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels; progression of Ecuadorian- originated publications in high-impact indexed scientific journals, (such as those included in SCOPUS, ISI-WoS) and the evolution of the local academic community. Primary data was obtained from a documentary revision of official higher education reports. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications was performed in the above indexed journals. Finally, a set of interviews was made with members of the local academic community. As a result, it seems possible to claim that after the last 15 years, political science in Ecuador is in the midst of a budding institutionalization process. To a large extent this gradual strengthening is the result of a larger availability of academic programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels and of the enhanced relevancy and coherence of the discipline and its output. However, a further consolidation of political science as an academic discipline in Ecuador is hindered by the persistent confusion between so-called “political studies” and “political science proper” and by the lingering prevalence of an identification between the two. This is also related to the unclear social and professional status political scientist enjoy in Ecuadorian society. Many questions remain unsettled regarding the full scope of the discipline’s institutionalization. Also, a thoughtful assessment of this analytical category still remains to be undertaken. Legitimate queries can be made, for instance, about what is the meaning of “politics” as such in Ecuadorian political science.
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spelling doaj-art-baeea87fc0f64746a856617a1f13601b2025-02-02T13:59:01ZspaFacultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales, Sede EcuadorÍconos1390-12492224-69832021-05-01257019322110.17141/iconos.70.2021.4667Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalizationEdgar Alberto Zamora-Aviles0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6547-423XMaría Paz Jervis-Pastor1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6011-653XUniversidad Internacional SEK Universidad Internacional SEK This article explores the development of political science as an academic discipline in Ecuador between 2005 and 2019. Three main institutionalization- related dimensions are scrutinized: advancement of training at universities, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels; progression of Ecuadorian- originated publications in high-impact indexed scientific journals, (such as those included in SCOPUS, ISI-WoS) and the evolution of the local academic community. Primary data was obtained from a documentary revision of official higher education reports. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications was performed in the above indexed journals. Finally, a set of interviews was made with members of the local academic community. As a result, it seems possible to claim that after the last 15 years, political science in Ecuador is in the midst of a budding institutionalization process. To a large extent this gradual strengthening is the result of a larger availability of academic programs, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels and of the enhanced relevancy and coherence of the discipline and its output. However, a further consolidation of political science as an academic discipline in Ecuador is hindered by the persistent confusion between so-called “political studies” and “political science proper” and by the lingering prevalence of an identification between the two. This is also related to the unclear social and professional status political scientist enjoy in Ecuadorian society. Many questions remain unsettled regarding the full scope of the discipline’s institutionalization. Also, a thoughtful assessment of this analytical category still remains to be undertaken. Legitimate queries can be made, for instance, about what is the meaning of “politics” as such in Ecuadorian political science.https://revistas.flacsoandes.edu.ec/iconos/article/view/4667political sciencedisciplinary developmentecuadorpolitical studiespolitical researchinternational relations
spellingShingle Edgar Alberto Zamora-Aviles
María Paz Jervis-Pastor
Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization
Íconos
political science
disciplinary development
ecuador
political studies
political research
international relations
title Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization
title_full Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization
title_fullStr Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization
title_full_unstemmed Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization
title_short Political Science in Ecuador, 2005-2019. A discipline in search of institutionalization
title_sort political science in ecuador 2005 2019 a discipline in search of institutionalization
topic political science
disciplinary development
ecuador
political studies
political research
international relations
url https://revistas.flacsoandes.edu.ec/iconos/article/view/4667
work_keys_str_mv AT edgaralbertozamoraaviles politicalscienceinecuador20052019adisciplineinsearchofinstitutionalization
AT mariapazjervispastor politicalscienceinecuador20052019adisciplineinsearchofinstitutionalization