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The Perestroikan Challenge to Social Science

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  • David D. Laitin

Abstract

Political science faces a challenge from a “Mr. Perestroika,†who decries the hegemony of formal and statistical analysis in the discipline. Although not connected with this movement, Bent Flyvbjerg makes the best case for a renewed dominance for qualitative and case study work throughout the social sciences. This article challenges Flyvbjerg’s call for a phronetic as opposed to an epistemic discipline. It challenges as well the unqualified call for pluralism advocated by many in the perestroika movement. It offers instead an integrated tripartite method in which narrative, statistics, and formal modeling fill in a scientific frame.

Suggested Citation

  • David D. Laitin, 2003. "The Perestroikan Challenge to Social Science," Politics & Society, , vol. 31(1), pages 163-184, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:polsoc:v:31:y:2003:i:1:p:163-184
    DOI: 10.1177/0032329202250167
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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Lorentzen & M Taylor Fravel & Jack Paine, 2017. "Qualitative investigation of theoretical models: the value of process tracing," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 29(3), pages 467-491, July.
    2. Sara Hagemann & Fabio Franchino, 2016. "Transparency vs efficiency? A study of negotiations in the Council of the European Union," European Union Politics, , vol. 17(3), pages 408-428, September.
    3. Cristina Bicchieri, 2002. "Covenants without Swords," Rationality and Society, , vol. 14(2), pages 192-228, May.
    4. Skarbek, David, 2016. "Covenants without the Sword? Comparing Prison Self-Governance Globally," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 110(4), pages 845-862, November.

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