Socio-Legal Discussion Group: Concept Promotion as Academic Practice

In the contemporary study of government, 'magic concepts' play an important role. With its broad character and normative appeal a concept such as 'evidence-based policy making', for instance, may fulfill mobilizing functions in government institutions. In academia the phenomenon of concept promotion enhances the formation of scholarly niches. In the study of government no academic can fully escape from becoming a concept entrepreneur. At the same time, beyond discursive roles, the aim to understand and explain the working of government in its relation to society also requires making connections across scholarly segments.