ABSTRACT

There is the relationship between physical property and intellectual property; private ownership of information and the public right to know; national boundaries and international space. Both social science and scholarly publishing must break the barriers of parochial boundaries. From the unified nature of international development to the integrative capacities of the Internet, internationalism is the order of the day. Open communication channels and well-developed social science paradigms are part of the world of knowledge. They are not intended to be means to political ends and whims. The perfume of power emits a strong but transitory odour. Scholarly publishing and social science research fuse in another important respect. Losses of profitability at one end, and failure to reach out for innovative manuscripts at the other are a consequence of risks. Researchers and publishers are united by the act of creation. Gangsters and terrorists are united by the act of destruction.