Topychkanov Andrey

The current growing interest in the concept of “political space” is largely associated with its use within constructivist studies. Adopting this perspective, this article examines the construction of political space in tsarist country residences of the 17th century and identifi es two methods employed in the process. The first led to the creation of a hierarchically (vertically) organized political space, the second — to a horizontal space. In the fi rst case, only representatives of the supreme power were endowed with political subjectivity, while in the second every participant in the political communication process was. Both methods were used simultaneously, which was caused not only by the need to satisfy private interests, but also by the need for empowering interaction, when subjects received certain benefi ts in exchange for recognition of the legitimacy of the supreme power.

The article deals with the history of the scientifi c journal “Moscow University Bulletin. Series 12. Political Science” in 2009–2021. The journal is the successor to the series “Theory of Scientifi c Communism”, the edition of which was launched 50 years ago — in 1971. With this series, it became possible to substantively selfdetermine two disciplines that were intensively developing abroad — sociology and political science.
By order of the rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University Academician V.A. Sadovnichy, edition of “Moscow University Bulletin. Series 12. Political Science” was transferred to the Political Science Department, and the dean-organizer of the faculty, professor A.Yu. Shutov became its editor in chief. During this time, an international editorial board was created, the circle of authors, including those from abroad, was expanded, the examination of incoming articles was strengthened, the journal signifi cantly increased its presence on the Internet, which contributes to the growth of its citation (impact factor). Thanks to the development of the edition, the journal took 1st place in the Science Index rating on the topic “Politics. Political Sciences” in August 2020 and was included in the Russian Science Citation Index on the Web of Science platform.

Political transformations, institutional changes in higher education, paradigm shifts, changes in disciplinary matrices, scientific networks, space and language of science contributed to the non-linear development of political science in Russia and prevented the formation of a metanarrative about the history of Russian political science. As shown by the conducted study, as well as the study of the history of
political science in other countries, such a metanarrative can only be created on the basis of the principles of historicism and contextualism. A significant contribution to the successive development of this discipline was made by scholarly and educational institutions specializing in the production of political knowledge and training professionals in this field. The corresponding infrastructure began to form in Russia at the turn of the 17th–18th centuries. At the same time, a key role was played by universities serving the production and transfer of political knowledge, academization of political research, professionalization of political specialties. Using the example of Moscow University, several lines of development of political education are traced in the article: the evolution of disciplinary forms of political science, educational infrastructure and processes of circulation of political knowledge. The institutionalization of political science led to the establishment in 2008 of the Faculty of Political Science at Lomonosov Moscow State University, which continues to play an important role in ensuring continuity in the field of political studies and political education in Russia.