How to Write a Harvard Referencing for Political Science

Political science students must navigate a complex landscape of primary legal documents, secondary theoretical analyses, and quantitative data sets. Harvard referencing in this field requires precision to distinguish between state-level actors, institutional white papers, and peer-reviewed scholarly debates.

What Is a Harvard Referencing in Political Science?

In political science, Harvard referencing is an author-date system used to attribute political theories, empirical data, and legislative analysis to their original sources. Unlike the humanities which may prefer footnotes, political science utilizes in-text citations to maintain the flow of argumentative discourse, particularly when debating Realist or Constructivist frameworks within international relations.

Before You Start

• Identify whether your source is an official government publication, a non-governmental organization report, or a peer-reviewed journal article.
• Locate the specific page numbers for direct quotes from foundational texts like Hobbes's Leviathan or Machiavelli's The Prince.
• Check if the document has a corporate author, such as the United Nations or the European Union, rather than an individual writer.
• Determine the DOI for digital-first political journals to ensure link persistence for your markers.
• Verify the full title of multi-lateral treaties or international agreements to ensure formal accuracy.

Cite Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

For core political analysis found in journals like the American Political Science Review, include the author, year, article title, journal name in italics, volume, issue, and page range.

Example: Mearsheimer, J. J. The False Promise of International Institutions. International Security, 19(3), pp. 5-49.

Tip: Always prioritize the volume and issue number to help readers locate specific debates in long-running political journals.

Format Government Reports and White Papers

When referencing policy documents, use the government department as the corporate author. This is essential for papers analyzing domestic policy or bureaucratic output.

Example: Department for International Development. Eliminating World Poverty: A Challenge for the 21st Century. London: HMSO.

Tip: If the department has changed names, use the name of the entity as it existed at the time of publication.

Reference International Treaties

Treaties require the full formal title, the parties involved (if not universal), and the date of signing. This provides the legal basis for international relations arguments.

Example: Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Opened for signature July 1. London, Moscow, Washington.

Tip: In-text, you can use a shortened version of the treaty name after the first full mention.

Attribute Chapter Contributions in Edited Collections

Political science often uses edited volumes for specific regional case studies. Cite the chapter author first, then the editor of the collection.

Example: Wendt, A. Constructing International Politics. In: K. Brown, ed. International Relations Theory. New York: Oxford University Press.

Tip: Make sure to use 'In:' before the editor's name to clarify the hierarchy of the source.

Handle Multiple Works by the Same Political Theorist

If citing multiple works by an author like Huntington or Fukuyama published in the same year, use lower-case letters (a, b, c) after the date.

Example: (Huntington, a) and (Huntington, b) discuss the clash of civilizations and political order respectively.

Tip: Ensure these letters correspond exactly to your alphabetical bibliography list.

Cite Data Sets and Statistical Databases

When using empirical data from sources like the World Bank or V-Dem Institute, cite the organization and the specific database version.

Example: World Bank. World Development Indicators. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.

Tip: Include the date you accessed the database if the data is subject to frequent updates or revisions.

Reference Newspaper Articles for Current Events

For analysis of ongoing elections or coups, cite the journalist, the year, the article title, the newspaper name in italics, and the specific date.

Example: Erlanger, S. Macron’s Gamble: A New Era for French Politics. The New York Times, 12 June.

Tip: Newspaper sources are valuable for contemporary history but should be balanced with peer-reviewed secondary sources.

Manage In-Text Citations for Multiple Authors

For works with three or more authors, use 'et al.' in the text but list all authors in the reference list to give credit to the full research team.

Example: (Acemoglu et al.) argue that institutions are the primary engine of economic growth.

Tip: Check your specific university handbook as some departments require all names for up to three authors before using et al.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Confusing the publisher with the printing location for classic political theory texts.
• Failing to capitalize formal names of political institutions like the House of Commons or the United Nations General Assembly.
• Omitting the 'accessed' date for online policy briefs that may be removed from government servers.
• Using 'Anonymous' for government documents instead of the specific agency or department name.
• Incorrectly formatting translated titles of foreign political manifestos or constitutions.
• Mixing Harvard style with Chicago-style footnotes within the same comparative politics essay.

Pro Tips

• Use a reference manager specifically to track the different iterations of UN resolutions and Security Council reports.
• Keep a separate log for primary sources versus secondary literature to make building your bibliography easier.
• When citing classic works like Plato’s Republic, include the original publication date in brackets if your department allows it for historical context.
• Always check if a political think tank (like Brookings or Chatham House) has a preferred citation format on their 'About' page.
• Verify the 'Series' title for monographs published by university presses, as these are common in political science series.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a speech by a political leader in Harvard style?

Cite the speaker as the author, the year the speech was delivered, the title of the speech in italics, the location/event, and the date. For example: Obama, B. Inaugural Address. Washington, D.C., 20 January.

Do I need to cite the Constitution of a country?

Yes, legal frameworks are primary sources. Cite the country name, the title of the constitution, and the year it was adopted or significantly amended.

How do I cite a YouTube video of a parliamentary debate?

Treat the broadcasting body or the parliament's official channel as the author, provide the year, the title of the debate video, and the full URL with the access date.

What if a policy paper has no clear author?

In political science, the organization responsible for the paper (e.g., Human Rights Watch) acts as the corporate author. Use their name in place of an individual's surname.

Related Resources

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• Find Peer-Reviewed Sources with Sourcely

• Polish Your Writing with Revise AI