About the Journal

Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science (ISSN [online] 2414-6633)  is an open access peer-reviewed academic journal published by the International Association for Political Science Students (IAPSS). Founded in 2001, IAPSS Politikon publishes rigorous scholarship across all major subfields of the discipline, with a particular commitment to developing early-career research. The journal publishes two regular issues per year and special issues throughout the year.

Positioning in the Discipline

All submissions, whatever the author's career stage, pass through the same double-blind peer review process. What distinguishes IAPSS Politikon is the developmental model built around that process. The journal:

  • provides an international venue where early-career researchers enter academic debates on equal terms;
  • combines high editorial standards with structured support — free copy-editing and developmental feedback — that helps authors strengthen their work before and during peer review;
  • actively encourages contributions from underrepresented groups and the Global South, expanding the epistemic diversity of the field;
  • offers a home for innovative, interdisciplinary, and critical perspectives that push the boundaries of political science.

Through this model, IAPSS Politikon brings into the literature perspectives that more established venues often overlook.

Scope

Politikon publishes original research articles, theoretical analyses, and critical essays across all major subfields of Political Science, including but not limited to:

  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Theory
  • Public Policy and Administration
  • Political Economy
  • Area Studies and Global Politics

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. The journal also publishes special issues on timely and significant themes; prospective guest editors are encouraged to contact the Editor-in-Chief at politikonjournal@iapss.org. For individual book reviews, contact the Book Review Section Editor at politikon.bookeditor@iapss.org.

Rigorous Standards and Developmental Support

Politikon combines strict peer review with editorial practices designed to develop early-career authors:

  • double-blind peer review, applied identically to all submissions and overseen by an international editorial board;
  • free professional copy-editing for all accepted articles;
  • editorial guidance aimed at strengthening scholarly contribution, originality, and methodological rigour.

This model raises the quality of published work while building the capabilities of the discipline's next generation of scholars.

Diamond Open Access and Global Reach

As a diamond open access journal, Politikon charges no submission, processing, or publication fees and makes all content freely available worldwide — enhancing visibility and citation potential, particularly for researchers outside well-funded institutions.

Politikon benefits from IAPSS's partnerships with established political science associations, including the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR). Through IAPSS's Crossref membership, every article receives a DOI, supporting reliable citation, indexing, and discoverability. The journal is indexed in:

Please note: Politikon: The IAPSS Journal of Political Science is not affiliated with Politikon: South African Journal of Political Studies.