Theory and Progress in Social Science

This work asks if social inquiry can truly be considered a progressive 'science'.

James B. Rule (Author)

9780521573658, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 April 1997

272 pages, 1 b/w illus.
23.7 x 16 x 2.3 cm, 0.63 kg

"Rule has an answer that is well worth pondering." Anthony Oberschall, Social Forces

This work, sequel to the author's Theories of Civil Violence, attacks questions that have long troubled social science and social scientists - questions of the cumulative nature of social inquiry. Does the knowledge generated by the study of social, political, and economic life grow more comprehensive over time? These questions go to the heart of social scientists' soul-searching as to whether they are indeed engaged in 'science'. The author pursues these questions through in-depth examination of various theoretical programs currently influential in social science, including feminist social science, rational choice theory, network analysis and others.

Introduction: Progress: formal and substantive
1. Dilemmas of intellectual progress
2. The reckoning of progress
Introduction to Part II
3. Rational choice
4. From Parsons to Alexander: closure through theoretical generality
5. Network analysis
6. Feminist analysis in social science James Rule and Leslie Irvine
Introduction to Part III
7. Theory as expression
8. Theory for coping
9. Summary and conclusion.

Subject Areas: Social theory [JHBA]