Studij politologije i politolozi
The Study of Political Science and the Political Scientists

Summary/Abstract: A survey of a smaller sample of employed holders of a degree in political science and of their direct superiors carried out in a number of larger towns in Croatia has yielded a number of important indicators. The questionnaire filled by the political scientists consisted of 35 questions of the so-called open type. They were divided into three groups of variables: socio-demographic data on the subjects, their professional standing in their working milieu and in society in general, and the assessment of the advantages and drawbacks of having a degrees in political science. The socio-demographic data were used as indicators in the interpretation of opinions given by respondents. The analysis of the opinions voiced by them reveals a number of important factors defining or illustrating the social status of political science (both as a university course and as a science) and of political scientists. It has been found that the professional assertion of political scientists mainly depends on their personal qualities; this is most frequently explained by a lack of tradition both with regard to the course and to the profession. The quality most strongly stressed in the study of political science is its interdisciplinary character; this is experienced, at the same time, as a certain shortcoming, to the extent that the course does not place a sufficiently strong accent on political science. The respondents were almost unanimous in suggesting that the interdisciplinary character of the course be retained, but more elaborated and with a more consistent emphasis on political science. In this context, the mentioned advantages and shortcomings of the course in political science emerge as. at least partly, explanations of the very evident split in the views on what a political scientist should be: an "expert on generalities'" or a "political technician". To resolve this dilemma we shall evidently have to conduct an extensive discussion of political science as the point of departure of both the university course and of political scientist.

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