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Zimmering, Raina: The Devided Globalization of Social Sciences in an Unequal World and Anti-Concepts. 


In: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities of Vietnam, Hanoi, Vol. 4, No.5 (2018): S. 584-592.



Raina Zimmering


Abstract: In this analysis of critical political science in the framework of the entanglement between post structural and ontological approaches, the author goes beyond the usual  claims by asserting that since globalization, especially in the economic and political domains, is not a uniform and integrated process, likewise the globalization of social sciences does not necessarily enhance  cooperation and promote equal participation. First, there is a process of standardization of the social sciences through international criteria of peer reviewing and ranking, the so called Social Science Citation Index - SSCI. These are common and universal criteria for evaluating research products by experts claiming to be neutral – which suggests the imposition of a kind of scientific imperialism. However, going against this mainstream is the emergence of scientific networks on the internet representing different universities and research institutes highlighting the works especially of young researchers, not to mention the many forums on the internet affiliated with various international scientific societies, associations and federations all over the world. There are attempts to change the course of the current “imperialist” globalization of social sciences from the Global North  in developing a “scientific life” from the bottom based on participative principles in alternative autonomous spaces, for example the rebellious Zapatistas communities in Mexico. This is something quite new and has yet to be developed further.

Keywords: Social Sciences; Unequal Globalization; Alternative Production of Knowledge; Scientific Freedom.

Received 15th March 2018; Revised 9th October 2018; Accepted 20th October 2018

1. Introduction

When the topic of "globalized social sciences" is at stake, the first question to be asked is what is meant by globalization and what is meant by social sciences. Let's start with the social sciences: According to the author´s understanding, they have the task of analyzing the nature and development of society and identifying solutions to problems. They are always subject to historical and local contexts, but they also have a right to go beyond them. Since the social sciences are always within political power structures, the questions mentioned above become a political issue. It is a question of whether the scientists use their knowledge and tools to justify existing shortcomings in the sense of those in power, as Niccolò Machiavelli did in his book "The Prince" (1513) for the house of Medici as a guide to a more effective form of governance, or whether the social sciences act as an initiator of overcoming deficits and fighting for a new quality of social relations, which gives them a more critical impetus. In the author`s opinion, the social sciences must constantly develop new strategies that guarantee a "good life for all" and diversity in accordance with the problems in society …

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