THE INSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL SCIENCES
OF THE HUNGARIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE (IPS HAS)
Objectives and goals of the Institute
The Institute for Political Sciences of the HAS conducts theoretical, empirical and comparative research primarily in the field of political science, and to a considerable extent in the field of related social sciences as well. Its activity is characterised by a marked inter- and multidisciplinary approach. The task of IPSHAS is to continuously study Hungarian political life, to describe and interpret the decisive trends and to enrich the academic means necessary to that work.
The research activities of the Institute cover a broad area of topics. The assessment of the various aspects and consequences of systemic change was in the forefront of analysis in the 1990’s. Although it has not lost its importance, it has been enriched since by major international comparative studies. The emphasis has slowly shifted to the study of the process of the European integration. In the teams of the Institute several research projects are in progress that address problems related to the European Union accession of Hungary. Clearly it is not only the considerations belonging to the area of political science of the process that are studied, but those of philosophy, social theory, sociology and anthropology should be analysed as well.
The Institute has built up a broad domestic research network; it serves as a centre and a background institution for political science research conducted in several places in Hungary. Naturally academic co-operation with other domestic research organisations is also significant.
The Institute participates in a number of international projects together with other Hungarian institutions. The number of presentations given at various academic conferences is impressive. A large part of them is given in the framework of academic co-operation, but the researchers also give account of the results of their work at various ad hoc events and carry on activities for the dissemination of knowledge.
