The social sciences are a vital part of modern societies. They play a significant role in national higher education curricula, absorb a fair part of national and international research funding and investment, provide career opportunities for highly qualified individuals, inform and influence public debate, and help shape the direction of policy in various fields. Indeed, if one adopts a diachronic perspective the social sciences have been, for some time now, in the ascendance.

From the number of university students and Ph.D. candidates to that of professional researchers and academics; from the profusion of different scientific publications (books, journals, policy briefs) and disciplines, to the extent of the subjects covered, the social sciences appear to be thriving.