Issue 3/2014 of INDES (Journal for Politics and Society) is concerned with the theme of "scientific schools," their development and role in the ever-changing world of modern academic life. The "scientific schools" is a prominent phenomenon of the modern humanities and social sciences. The examples that come to mind such as the Frankfurt School, the Cambridge School or the Bielefeld School show how every different concepts lie behind the term. In this issue of INDES the authors discuss the concept of "school of thought." How was it possible that local scientific cultures came to play such a role in the dynamic world of academic life - which prominently demands global "networking" and "interdisciplinary" approaches? This issue also looks at the conditions for the successful rise of such schools and the relevance of their founders.

Prof. Dr. Franz Walter ist Direktor des Göttinger Instituts für Demokratieforschung.