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, Politikon publishes peer-reviewed research across all major subfields of political science, while maintaining a particular commitment to supporting early-career researchers. 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.

The journal combines rigorous peer review with a developmental editorial model that:

  • provides an international publication venue for researchers at all career stages, while offering additional editorial support to early-career authors;
  • combines double-blind peer review with structured editorial support, including developmental feedback and copy-editing, to help authors strengthen their manuscripts throughout the review and publication process;
  • actively encourages contributions from underrepresented groups and the Global South, broadening the geographical and epistemic diversity of political science scholarship;
  • welcomes interdisciplinary, critical, and methodologically innovative research that advances debates across the discipline.

This editorial model aims to broaden participation in international political science while maintaining consistent editorial standards.

Editorial decisions are made independently by the Editor-in-Chief and the Editorial Board, without interference from IAPSS.

Scope

Politikon publishes original research articles, research notes, 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

The journal accepts submissions on a rolling basis and regularly publishes special issues on timely topics and emerging debates in political science.

Proposals for special issues are welcome. Prospective guest editors are invited to contact the Editor-in-Chief at politikonjournal@iapss.org.

Proposals for individual book reviews should be directed to the Book Review Section Editor at politikon.bookeditor@iapss.org.

Diamond Open Access and Global Reach

As a diamond open access journal, Politikon charges no submission, processing, or publication fees and makes all published content freely accessible worldwide.

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

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