Abstract :
Uniquely among leading generalist journals in political science, the BJPolS is independent of any
professional association. Although organizational sponsorship confers great advantages, the BJPolS
has thrived during its first forty years because able editors exploited their independence to adopt policies
that were less feasible for official journals subject to membership pressures – a distinctive focus on
contemporary theory, receptivity to overseas contributors, flexibility about longer articles and dual
submissions, and active editorial discretion. These practices should continue to serve the journal well
despite challenges posed by technological change. In responding to specialized competitors, the BJPolS
should maintain its aspiration to publish papers that address ‘problems of general significance to students
of politics’ by connecting analytical models to empirical evidence and enduring normative goals.
