Scientific networks of young political scientists as a tool of “soft power”: Opportunities and limitations

Abstract

The article is about the development of the connections of young political scientists with the international scientific community in the context of the Russian academic policy. With the help of the network analysis the authors examine the capacity of young political scientists’ network as agents of soft power, as well as the external factors that affect youth political scientists’ community. The article presents results of the all-Russia poll about the most effective ways to engage the youth to acquiring new knowledge and skills, and the role of political scientists’ organizations in developing and enhancing international interaction. Using SWOT-analysis the authors analyze the opportunities and the challenges on the way of creating scientific network among young political scientists from around the world, evaluate government and NGO engagement in the process of enhancing such communications. Germany and the US are the model cases that were studied in the context. The trend for these two countries is the use of NGO financing of researchers, internship and exchange programs. The authors conclude that governmental support of NGOs, easing the laws and additional funding can be the opportunity for developing the Russian young political scientists’ community both in Russia and abroad.