The Finnish (and Swedish) name of the discipline of political science at the University of Helsinki, yleinen valtio-oppi (allmän statslära), is based on the German Allgemeine Staatslehre. The discipline also studies the political aspects of governance and organisations as well as international relations, which are often distinguished from political science and treated as separate disciplines in other countries.
As an academic discipline, political science is rooted both in social philosophy and in the needs of the late 19th century to educate civil servants for the service of the modern state. However, the areas of research within political science has since expanded considerably. With changes in Finland and the world, research in political science has taken on new issues and phenomena. Current research explores such topics as supranational integration, terrorism, the rise of populism and the effects of social media on democracy. The state, political institutions, public power and international relations have remained subjects of research throughout the discipline’s history.
Political and organisational studies encompasses politics and governance in the broad sense. The research also examines democracy, political ideologies, comparative politics, political philosophy, and the theories and concepts of politics. Another research topic is the European Union.
Research in world politics examines diplomacy and the formation of the foreign policy of various countries and other actors, the causes of peace, political violence and war, as well as the development of a global political economy and its co-management. Research in world politics covers a wider area than just “international relations”. The focus is not only on international or global politics, but also on political circumstances which permeate or transgress the boundaries of traditional political communities.
Permanent teaching and research staff in political science focus on research topics including the following:
Some of the project names are in Finnish or in Swedish.
Political sciene is one of the largest disciplines and study tracks in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Here is the list of all the programmes that offer teaching in political science
Political scientists are actively involved in the academic and wider communities
Finnish and international blogs in political science and its sub-fields:
Discipline coordinator: Senior University Lecturer Riikka Kuusisto
Director for the Master's Programme in Politics, Media and Communication: University Lecturer S.M. Amadae
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