Activism and Objectivity in Political Research

There are two opposed views on the proper relationship between academic research and political activism. The first argues that academics who study politics must remain objective, hence precluding second can should also be activists, scholarly objectivity. This article against an assumption shared by these otherwise opposing positions: activism objectivity incompatible. It conceptually identifies then normatively defends a form of characterized active engagement with evidence is what Max Weber calls “inconvenient” for one’s existing beliefs commitments. Far from being incompatible activism, this essential to its success. Since scholars, scholar-activists alike would all benefit inconvenient evidence, I conclude institutions promote among both activist non-activist while organizations same virtue non-academic activists.