Institute of Sociology NASU

28th World Congress of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), Seoul, 2025 (brief report)

stmm. 2025 (3): 197–205

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/sociology2025.03.197

Full text: https://stmm.in.ua/archive/ukr/2025-3/12.pdf

OLEKSII IAKUBIN, PhD in Political Science, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (37, Beresteiskyi Ave., Build. 7, Kyiv, 03056), Member of IPSA

jacubin@gmail.com

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8898-4563

This article analyzes the key challenges faced by political science in the context of the 28th World Congress of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), held in Seoul from July 12 to 16, 2025. Through the lens of the Congress’s central theme — resisting autocratization in polarized societies — the author explores the institutional role of political science, its epistemological responsibility, and its public duty. The article highlights: (1) the conceptual debates on the nature of contemporary autocracy at the Congress; (2) the role of the sociological dimension in contemporary political science; (3) institutional practices of inclusion and public engagement; (4) the experience of a Ukrainian scholar participating in several key Congress formats — presentation, panel, and roundtable; (5) the dilemmas of representation, language, and academic autonomy for the Ukrainian academic community. The IPSA World Congress 2025 emerges as a symptomatic event for political science — and the social sciences more broadly — serving as a space where not only research agendas are shaped, but also new forms of global epistemic subjectivity are being constructed.

Keywords: IPSA-2025, autocratization, political science, polarization, democracy, sociology, epistemology, political expertise, international system, conflict, Global South, civic education

References:

1. Aguiar Aguilar, A.A., Coronado, I. (2025). Congress theme introduction: Resisting autocratization in polarized societies. IPSA World Congress 2025. Retrieved from: https://wc2025.ipsa.org/wc/congress-theme

2. IPSA. (2025). Program of the 28th World Congress of Political Science. International Political Science Association. Retrieved from: https://wc2025.ipsa.org

3. Oñate, P. (2025, July). Presidential welcome and reflections on political science today. IPSA Opening Ceremony, Seoul. Retrieved from: https://wc2025.ipsa.org

4. IPSA. (2025). Panel: Political experts and freedom of expression in the media: Who shapes public opinion and how? Retrieved from: https://wc2025.ipsa.org/wc/panel/political-experts-and-freedom-expression-media-who-shapes-public-opinion-and-how

Received 08.08.2025