Whither Political Science

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6096904
AutoresRussell Hardin (New York University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2002
Volumen35
Número2
Páginas183-186
Fecha de publicación2002-06-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPS Political Science & Politics (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1049-0965 • E-ISSN: 1537-5935
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1049096502000458
OpenAlexW2111987272
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas5

The current debate in political science over methods and fundamental theoretical stances recalls similar debates in other fields. Part of the debate focuses on the merits of the use of statistical methods or the use of mathematics and quasi-mathematical reasoning, as in game theory and much of rational choice. Among the critics of those who use these approaches are many who focus more on interpretive approaches to understanding social institutions and behavior. In some ways, the debate seems dated in that the largest and most compelling body of quasi-economic work is broad studies of the relationships between political and economic development. Such work, often with relatively sharply defined statistical models, spans more than two generations of scholars in political science. Such work has given compelling answers to many questions about the workings and workability of democracy. It typically abstracts from culture and it fits congenially with rational choice theory in its focus on microfoundations for various claims

Democracy · Economics · Epistemology · Microfoundations · Political methodology · Political philosophy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Social science · Sociology · Systems theory in political science · Economic Theory and Institutions · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Social Policy and Reform Studies