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Tracing tacit knowledge of polity research: a methodological account of system and environment

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Abstract

Researching polity dynamics starts with making assumptions about nature and objects of inquiry. But these assumptions are frequently tacitly acknowledged in a variety of polity studies. The article discusses basic assumptions of polity research by focusing on the relationship between polity and its context. I argue that these assumptions do not stem from a particular theory, strand of theories, or paradigms, but from a technical need to identify an object of study and are inherent in making distinctions. To show this, I use a systems analysis scheme. I base the discussion on a structural–functional methodological approach to political phenomena: the black box and white box system identification models and system-environment relationship. As a result, I propose a Polity-Context Classification Framework. The proposed framework might help overcome some discrepancies among polity studies and the search for more complimentary, comprehensive, and integrated views on polity dynamics.

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Acknowledements

I thank Mark Hampton for our discussions regarding systems and environment.

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  1. Collegium Civitas, 00-901, Plac Defilad 1, Warsaw, Poland

    Krzysztof Kasianiuk

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Kasianiuk, K. Tracing tacit knowledge of polity research: a methodological account of system and environment. Qual Quant 57 (Suppl 1), 19–37 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-022-01450-5

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