№ 6 - 2001
Blyakher L.Ye.
Paradoxes of Regional Political Science (A Provincial’s Notes)

The author describes the difficulties of the formation of political scientists’ communities in Russia’s regions (with, mainly, Khabarovsk Krai as example). He judges political science to be divided into the one of the capital city and the many provincial ones. The development of these latter is marked by 4 paradoxes accounted for by the ideas that each given territory presents an «especial area» within Russia. Paradox I: there is a need for political-scientific communication, but no basis for one. Paradox II: the existence of several approaches to political science («cognitive strategies») within one regional corporation. Paradox III is called forth by a destined character of the research and of its financing: political science «for exportation»; for «domestic use»; for higher educational institutions. Paradox IV: political-scientific concepts, borrowed schemes and methodologies do not always correspond to Russian realities. The author’s conclusion is that the formation of a regional political science community requires (1) locus for methodological discussion and for political science communication and (2) means and criteria of the said communication. Today, it is the educational system that can present such basis.