"In Defence of Political Theory: Impact and Opportunities"

. . . is forthcoming at Political Studies Review (to be published this spring) and available online here. The abstract:

This essay will present the impact that political theory has made and the opportunities for future contributions. It will consider the contributions made by leading political theorists to policy debates, the lessons learned from their successes, and how political theorists might further pursue existing and new opportunities to develop impact. The discussion will close with consideration of several potential threats that theorists should become more aware of in order to best avoid them. The growing importance of impact in British higher education policy represents important challenges that may help promote the field of political theory. Political theorists should welcome these developments.

 

This essay is part of a special issue on "impact" and political science. There has been some disquiet by some who argue that the so-called "impact agenda" of recent governments is bad news for political theorists. While I don't embrace the impact agenda, I argue that political theorists can benefit.