Academy of Political Science
Columbia University established the Academy of Political Science in 1880. The goal was to foster cooperation between Columbia Law School and its Graduate School of Political Science. This partnership created a new space for academic dialogue outside traditional classroom settings. In 1886, the organization began publishing the Political Science Quarterly. That journal became one of the earliest vehicles for spreading political analysis across the country. The early years focused on building credibility through consistent publication and scholarly rigor.
The Academy of Political Science incorporated as a non-profit organization in New York State during 1910. Membership opened to anyone willing to pay dues, allowing broader participation beyond university affiliates. Private foundations provided financial support that helped stabilize operations. At that time, only a handful of groups claimed to produce truly non-partisan analytical studies. The Brookings Institution stood alongside it as another rare example of such an effort. This independence allowed the academy to grow into a leading center for objective inquiry without direct government control.
Annual dinners brought together politicians, diplomats, scholars, and intellectuals for decades of public discourse. In 1921, President Warren G. Harding addressed 1,400 men and women at a luncheon held inside the Hotel Astor. He declared his intention to drastically reorganize government and cut expenditures sharply. Harding asserted that federal, state, and municipal governments had been spending without thought of the future. Walter Lippmann spoke about liberalism in 1932, telling guests that the liberal spirit rests upon keeping channels of understanding open. Secretary Henry L. Stimson used the 1940 dinner to deliver a pro-preparedness speech supporting Britain. Vice-President Richard Nixon attended the annual dinner in 1959, adding another layer of political weight to these gatherings.
The academy organized significant national conferences on foreign relations and economic recovery with partner organizations. In 1917, working with the American Society of International Law, they hosted a National Conference on the Foreign Relations of the United States. The New York Times called it the most notable unofficial gathering of authorities on international law ever held in this country. A 1932 conference brought together economists, bankers, and industrialists to discuss steps toward economic recovery. More recently, co-sponsored events have included Homes for the Homeless, the American Hellenic Institute Foundation, and the Presidency Research Group of the American Political Science Association. These collaborations expanded reach while maintaining focus on substantive policy issues rather than partisan debate.
A three-fold educational mission guides all activities of the Academy of Political Science today. First, it contributes to scholarly examination of political institutions, processes, and public policies. Second, it enriches political discourse by channeling social science research into understandable forms for leaders. Third, it educates general public members so they become better informed participants in democracy. Major vehicles include the journal Political Science Quarterly published since 1886, along with books and other publications. Conferences serve as another key mechanism for translating complex ideas into actionable knowledge for policymakers and citizens alike.
The board of directors includes scholars, academic administrators, and professionals from legal, business, and non-profit sectors. Current honorary members reflect a broad spectrum of public service experience. Former US president Jimmy Carter holds an honorary position alongside former Secretaries of State George P. Shultz and Madeleine Albright. Robert M. Gates served as Secretary of Defense before joining the academy's ranks. Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Advisor, and Sandra Day O'Connor, former Supreme Court Justice, also hold honorary status. This structure ensures diverse perspectives while maintaining dedication to the organization's core educational mission.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When did Columbia University establish the Academy of Political Science?
Columbia University established the Academy of Political Science in 1880. The goal was to foster cooperation between Columbia Law School and its Graduate School of Political Science.
What year did the Academy of Political Science incorporate as a non-profit organization in New York State?
The Academy of Political Science incorporated as a non-profit organization in New York State during 1910. Membership opened to anyone willing to pay dues, allowing broader participation beyond university affiliates.
Who addressed 1400 men and women at an Academy of Political Science luncheon in 1921?
President Warren G. Harding addressed 1,400 men and women at a luncheon held inside the Hotel Astor in 1921. He declared his intention to drastically reorganize government and cut expenditures sharply.
Which organizations co-sponsored events for the Academy of Political Science recently?
Co-sponsored events have included Homes for the Homeless, the American Hellenic Institute Foundation, and the Presidency Research Group of the American Political Science Association. These collaborations expanded reach while maintaining focus on substantive policy issues rather than partisan debate.
Who are some current honorary members of the Academy of Political Science?
Former US president Jimmy Carter holds an honorary position alongside former Secretaries of State George P. Shultz and Madeleine Albright. Robert M. Gates served as Secretary of Defense before joining the academy's ranks.