In the countries of Middle and Eastern Europe the collapse of „real socialism” was followed by the annulment of political and ideological supervision over scientific researches. Since then the political theory has been developing in an unembarrassed way, drawing investigative patterns with the tradition of western political sciences. Form this perspective, the expression „westernization” used with regard to political theory signifies the process of going away from Marxism and historical materialism. The article focuses on two essential trends of this process. The main consequence is the pluralization of theoretical bases of investigations, which signifies not only differentation, but also the lack of predominant theory. The international program for monitoring the development since 1990, shows that new investigative trends disclose a division between the traditional and current model of politology, which demonstrates the topicality of arguments raised in western academic debatesover the theoretical condition and status of political science discipline.

Th e article addresses the topic of scientifi c validation of theoretical refl ection in the context of academic discourse. Th e primary thesis states that the status of a stance, school or a theoretical tradition is, on the one hand, determined by factual arguments relying on rational justifi cation and explanatory pragmatism, and on the other hand, by numerous irrational factors that determine contemporary discourse in scientifi c community. Th e author focuses on both cultural, systemic and institutional determinants of discourse.

Recenzje i omówienia 266 ty w opisie i przyczynowym wyjaśnianiu, 8. Jakościowe instrumenty w opisie i wyjaśnianiu przyczynowym, 9. Organizacje, instytucje i ruchy w perspektywie metodologicznej. Każda z części zawiera kilka tekstów obejmujących w sumie aż trzydzieści siedem rozdziałów. Na poszczególne rozdziały składają się artykuły i studia naukowe, tworzące gradacyjną strukturę treści, uporządkowaną od zagadnień najogólniejszych do bardziej szczegółowych. Całość zajmuje prawie 900 stron tekstu wraz z indeksem rzeczowym.Poza imponującym rozmachem objętościowym dwie cechy odróżniają tę pozycję wydawniczą od większości krajowych opracowań tego typu. W pierwszym rzędzie ma ona charakter pracy zbiorowej, co nie jest domeną podręczników podporządkowanych głównie potrzebom dydaktyki. Zasadnicze trudności wiążą się zazwyczaj w umiejętnym doborze autorów, wyspecjalizowanych w określonym obszarze tematycznym, oraz trafnym zestawieniu i syntezie zróżnicowanej problemowo treści, często poruszającej specjalistyczne, a przez to kontekstowo fragmentaryczne zagadnienia. Zwraca uwagę również fakt, że problematyka książki znacząco wyrasta poza wąsko rozumianą metodologię badań empirycznych. Wręcz przeciwnie, zwłaszcza w pierwszych częściach główny nacisk położony jest na kwestie epistemologiczne, a nawet ontologiczne, które zazwyczaj nie mieszczą się w tradycyjnym, empirycznie zorientowanym modelu politologii.The Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology, red.

Purpose:The aim of the article is to highlight analytically the nodal functions of the power elite, which are implemented in the situation of crisis situation. The separation of these functions is a consequence of relating the actions of the authorities in relation to social needs and expectations in emergency. The characteristics of these functions have been illustrated with references to the practice of political actions undertaken in selected countries. Design/Methodology/Approach: The methodological basis for the analysis of these functions are the assumptions that contribute to the functional perspective of explanation, referring to the achievements of Talcott Parsons, Jeffrey C. Alexander and Niclas Luhmann. What is particularly important here is the interpretation of the function as a specific relationship between a group of elites and its social environment, which generates the imperative of specific directions of the power's action. Findings: The strategic positioning of the elite in the power structure implies the implementation of key functions in the sphere of counteracting threats related to the crisis situation. Practical Implications: The characteristics of the separate functions of the power elite may be the basis for empirical research aimed at analyzing and comparing activities undertaken in different countries. Originality/Value: The original model for analyzing the activities of the power elite.

The article discusses premises for distinguishing scientific disciplines and their relationship to their object of research. The main thesis is related to the claim that currently, the disciplinary status of public administration research is a result of political decision rather than of the subject matter specificity and methodological consistency of the research problems. This is primarily influenced by the fragmented and hybrid nature of public administration issues. Next, arguments are presented for the separation of public administration from the political science perspective. Arguments justifying the close relationship between the problems of administration and political science are also offered. The focus is on an attempt to answer the questions whether administration only implements policy or also creates its value and goals, and why administration can be considered an integral part of the political sphere of social life. In this context, the conditions for capturing administration as part of politics and politicization of public administration are presented.