Politolog jako medialny komentator polityki

Abstract

The starting point for the issues discussed in the article is a thesis about a growing need, which stems from the dynamic development of the media, for political scientists in a role of events and political mechanisms commentators. This situation results in new contexts for traditional questions of combining scientific knowledge with political practice. The important primary barrier is the peculiarity of knowledge of politics, which is inevitably pertained to controversies of a ideological nature by referring to the conflicts and contradictions being at the core of political competition. A total escape into the axiological neutrality is impossible, and the more rational solution seems controlling the processes of judging in order to facilitate transcending the needs and motivation inspired by particularistic group interests. In practice, the above does not always take place — and one has to acknowledge very disturbing proces of blurring the division between a politician and political scientist. By drifting away from objectivism and identifying with a certain political group, also in opinions on current issues, political scientists lose their credibility, which – in its general dimension — leads to devaluing of opinions based the authority of science in the public opinion. One of the key factors influencing the growing dominance of form over content is the commercialization of the media and politics. The scientists are facing the need of inscribing themselves in this new model for which competence is a matter of minor importance and the key role is played by “stardom”. Despite the numerous threats pointed out in the article, there is a hope that the emerging potential of the new forms of communication could be used in creating the efficient combination of scientific knowledge and political practice, which is a dream old-established in philosophy of politics.