Cult of the Irrelevant: The Waning Influence of Social Science on National Security

The gap between national security policymakers and international relations scholars has become a chasm, as social science research became more oriented toward practical problem-solving during times of war and returned to less relevant work during peacetime. Michael Desch's book "Cult of the Irrelevant" offers recommendations for scholars who want to shape government work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

The relationship between national security policymakers and international relations scholars has become a significant chasm, as observed by US Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. In his book "Cult of the Irrelevant," Michael Desch explores the historical trajectory of this relationship, from World War I to the present day. He highlights the shift in focus of social science research during times of war, where it became oriented towards practical problem-solving, and the subsequent return to less relevant work during peacetime. Desch argues that social science disciplines like political science prioritized methodologically sophisticated work over scholarship that engaged with the messy realities of national security policy.

Academic culture, driven by the pursuit of scientific objectivity, has increasingly turned away from the job of solving real-world problems. Scholars today often engage in basic research with the hope that it will somehow influence policymakers. However, this approach has led to a disconnect between academia and the policymaking process.

To address this issue, Desch offers concrete recommendations for scholars who want to shape government work. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with policymakers, understanding their perspectives, and translating academic research into practical insights that can inform policy decisions. He also calls for a shift in academic culture towards a more interdisciplinary approach that incorporates insights from other fields such as economics, psychology, and sociology.

"Cult of the Irrelevant" is a rich intellectual history that provides valuable insights into the relationship between academia and national security policy. It serves as a wake-up call to a field that has lost its way and needs to re-engage with the real-world challenges facing the United States and the world. By bridging the gap between the Beltway and the Ivory Tower, social scientists can once again play a vital role in shaping national security policy and addressing the complex security challenges of our time.

Dimension: 235 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691228990