The theory of «epistemic communities» by Peter Haas: basic provisions and possibilities of application for the analysis of national systems of foreign policy expertise

Abstract

The author made an attempt to apply the theory of «epistemic communities» by the American political scientist Peter M. Haas (synthesized from the network methodology and constructivism) to research national systems of foreign policy expertise. For this purpose, for the first time in Russian political science, the main provisions of this theory have been systematized and analyzed, as well as a scientific interpretation of the national system of foreign policy expertise has been formulated from its position. It is a community (network) of experts in the field of international relations and foreign policy, united by a common or similar political picture of the world, political beliefs, values and capable of influencing the formation and implementation of the foreign policy course of their state through the proposing of assessments and recommendations. The application of this definition and the theory of «epistemic communities» in general will make it possible to actualize political science studies of intellectual products, value foundations, innovative and socialization components of foreign policy expertise, and will also contribute to the development of effective mechanisms for identifying pseudo-expertise.