Introduction The Panel on Structure and Organisation is one of three panels that were commissioned to look into the quality of research in Danish social science, and to point out measures that might improve the future situation. The other two panels have evaluated research within two of the disciplines of social science, i.e. Economics and Political Science. All the institutions involved in the evaluation have been visited by at least one panel member. The social sciences have suffered a relative setback in financial resources over the past decade, even if, as can be seen in table 1, the social sciences, along with all research fields, have expanded in real terms. While productivity might have increased, this develop-ment is likely to have squeezed the available research time somewhat.
Social science is important in improving the functioning of a modern democracy.
By furthering and increasing the knowledge and understanding of an ever changing economic and social environment high quality analysis and information can be efficiently and effectively applied to policy-making. Social sciences address important economic and social problems and this leads to an improved debate about public policy and hence is essential for the functioning of democracy. Thus, social science contributes to a society's economic competitiveness, which is the basis for a high standard of living. In order for social science to fulfil these obligations and play out its proper role for policy-making, adequate funding for both basic and applied research must be ensured. Also, a marked increase in the number of Ph.D. students, which is seen as a prerequisite for a satisfactory future development and, in particular, for maintaining the competitive position of Danish researchers inter-nationally, must necessarily be accompanied by increased funding if the quality of Ph.D. training is to be ensured.