Tab Article

Genre: Political Science, Academic Criticism, Intellectual History, Education
Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

Book Review:
David M. Ricci's ''The Tragedy of Political Science: Politics, Scholarship, and Democracy'' is a bold, provocative, and deeply scholarly critique of the academic discipline of political science, primarily in its American incarnation. Ricci presents a comprehensive historical review of the field's development throughout the 20th century, arguing that its pursuit of ''scientific'' rigor and value-neutral objectivity has ironically led to a ''tragedy''—a disconnect from the pressing political realities it should illuminate and a failure to adequately serve democracy. The book is not a dismissal of the discipline but a thoughtful, well-argued indictment of its paths and priorities. Ricci masterfully summarizes various schools of thought (behavioralism, pluralism, etc.) and critiques their limitations in addressing fundamental questions of power, justice, and civic engagement. Hailed by peers in reviews as ''intelligent, lucid, scholarly, well-argued,'' and ''a first-class critical examination,'' this work sparked significant controversy and debate upon its release. Published by the prestigious Yale University Press, it is essential reading for advanced students and scholars of political science, intellectual history, and higher education. It challenges readers to reconsider the purpose of political scholarship and its relationship to a healthy democratic polity. While demanding, its clarity and force of argument make it an accessible and rewarding read for anyone concerned with the role of academia in public life.