Making Social Science Matter: Why Social Inquiry Fails and How it Can Succeed Again - Hardcover

Flyvbjerg, Bent

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521772680 ISBN 13: 9780521772686

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2001

Synopsis

Making Social Science Matter presents an exciting new approach to social science, including theoretical argument, methodological guidelines, and examples of practical application. Why has social science failed in attempts to emulate natural science and produce normal theory? Bent Flyvbjerg argues that the strength of social science is in its rich, reflexive analysis of values and power, essential to the social and economic development of any society. Richly informed, powerfully argued, and clearly written, this book provides essential reading for all those in the social and behavioral sciences.

About this title

About the Author

Bent Flyvbjerg is Professor of Planning at the Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark. He was twice a Visiting Fulbright Scholar to the US and has done research at UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Harvard University. He is the author of numerous publications translated into 15 languages. His most recent books are Megaprojects and Risk (Cambridge), Making Social Science Matter (Cambridge), and Rationality and Power (Chicago). His interests are both theoretical and practical. He works internationally as an advisor on urban policy and planning, including for the European Union, the United Nations, national governments, and private companies.

From the Inside Flap

"This is a book I have been waiting for for a long time. It opens up entirely new perspectives for social science by showing us that abandoning the aspiration to be like natural science is the beginning of wisdom about what we can and ought to be doing instead. It is a landmark book that deserves the widest possible reading and discussion." ROBERT N. BELLAH, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY

"This is social science that matters." PIERRE BOURDIEU, COLLÈGE DE FRANCE

"As anyone familiar with his work will know, Bourdieu - currently the world's leading sociologist - does not endorse books ... So why, then, does the ascetically-principled high priest of Sociology deign to break the habit of a lifetime for this unassuming work? The simple answer is: it really is that good. This is the first work of social theory/methodology for a long time which actually made me enthusiastic about the future of the social sciences outside the insulated groves of academia ... As someone on the verge of 'losing his faith' in the pursuit of social science as a meaningful discipline with something to offer back to its object of study, this book has totally rejuvenated my enthusiasm and, as such, I find it hard to recommend it highly enough ... you definitely should read it." *****AMAZON.COM, READER REVIEW (FIVE OF FIVE STARS)

"Bent Flyvbjerg has been one of the leading figures in the now widespread movement against the idea that the social sciences should model themselves on the natural ones ... [Making Social Science Matter] clearly demonstrates that there are models more appropriate to the social sciences ... Flyvbjerg's suggestive, well-written little book both reviews most of the apparent possibilities and establishes standards (practical and political, ethical and methodological) by which to measure their progress." CLIFFORD GEERTZ, SCIENCE

"Flyvbjerg, author of Rationality and Power: Democracy In Practice, an innovative, fine-grained and civically-engaged study of local power in Denmark, here reflects, in accessible and pleasurable prose, on large, challenging questions: What, fundamentally, makes social science different from natural science? Why is it relatively so poor in producing cumulative and predictive theories? What kinds of knowledge should it seek and with what methods? His answers, drawing on Nietzsche, Foucault, Bourdieu and others, are worth the close attention of those predisposed to reject them out of hand." STEVEN LUKES, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY

"Excellent ... It would be hard to find a more synthetic and clear exposition of ideas, theories, and methods that lie at the core of an activist social science. I know of no better introduction to this subject than Making Social Science Matter." DAVYDD J. GREENWOOD, GOLDEN SMITH PROFESSOR OF ANTHROPOLOGY, CORNELL UNIVERSITY

"Flyvbjerg writes with great passion and exemplary clarity ... will be of special interest to planners, providing valuable guidelines for practice-based research." JOHN FRIEDMANN, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING, UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

"This brilliant contextualization of social inquiry, hinging on both Aristotle and Foucault, gives new meaning to the concept of praxis. It will be of interest to everyone concerned with making democracy work." ED SOJA , SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY, UCLA

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521772680
• ISBN 13: 9780521772686
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 216