The Europeanization of social science research: the relation between policy research and migration policies in Italy in the late 1990s early 2000s.

Abstract

The inclusion of social science research in the decision making process has raised questions about the validity of scientific knowledge, in terms of its objectivity and of its legitimizing function. On the other hand, the emergence of new ways to understand contemporary societies with the central role of information and knowledge and a new model of science and technology has revived the role of social science research. The inclusion of the social sciences and humanities in the ERA (European Research Area) is an attempt to achieve a greater degree of economic, social and political integration. The EU is therefore proposing the revival of the social sciences in the policy-making process. This paper seeks to determine to what extent funding in the social sciences at EU level has had an impact on policy research at national level. It explores the implication that a latent European social science may have at national level. To investigate these issues, the paper examines migration policies in Italy, whether there has been an increased role of the social sciences in the policy-making process.

Keywords

• : social science research,policy research,science and politics,knowledge society,immigration policies,Italy,European Union

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