The Erosion of Context: Exploring the Decontextualization of Political Science in Non-Democratic Regimes and its Instrumentalization for Authoritarian Legitimation

The academic environment in non-democratic and authoritarian regimes is characterized by a complex interplay of state control, ideological constraints, and limited academic freedom, which significantly shape the nature and scope of scholarly inquiry. The academic landscape in non-democratic countries is marked by a pervasive culture of self-censorship, where scholars navigate a delicate balance between pursuing their research interests and adhering to state-imposed limitations, driven by the imperative to safeguard their personal safety, professional standing, and institutional affiliations. The constraints imposed on academic freedom within non-democratic countries and authoritarian regimes bear significant implications for the social sciences. In authoritarian regimes, social sciences are subject to ideological scrutiny and manipulation, as state authorities seek to mold and shape social science disciplines to align with prevailing political ideologies and narratives, thereby reinforcing regime legitimacy and control.

This research examines the nature and structure of political science in authoritarian regimes, specifically focusing on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. It investigates the institutional frameworks, curricula, and research priorities within political science departments in these regimes. Utilizing primary and secondary sources including academic literature, Research content analysis, official documents, and interviews, the study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the functioning and limitations of political science in these contexts. The research contributes to the broader discipline by uncovering the unique challenges faced by scholars in authoritarian regimes, exploring the impact of state ideologies on academic freedom, and shedding light on the implications for the study of domestic politics, foreign policy, and international relations. The findings will enhance interdisciplinary scholarship and deepen our understanding of the role of academic disciplines within authoritarian governance. "The Erosion of Context: Exploring the Decontextualization of Political Science in Non-Democratic Regimes and its Instrumentalization for Authoritarian Legitimation" is part of the research field "Comparative research of extremism and autocracy"

This project is funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation.