The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science (Paperback)

Keith Dowding

ISBN 10: 1403904472 / ISBN 13: 9781403904478

Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, Gordonsville, 2015

About this Item

Paperback. This original account of the role of philosophy and methodology in political science gets back to the basics of studying politics. Cutting through long-standing controversies across different theoretical camps within the discipline, Dowding provides an innovative and pluralistic argument for the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches. He offers an analysis of, and a counterbalance to, debates over causal explanation, defending a scientific realist perspective that is open to entirely different methods. Following an introduction to the major 'isms' of modern political science and international relations, the book takes an incisive look at the nature of explanations and generalizations, theory testing, mechanisms, causation, process tracing, interpretation and conceptual analysis. It enables students of political science methodologies and related disciplines to apply sharp analysis and in-depth philosophical understanding to their study of political events and structures. Concluding with chapters on normative political philosophy and the vocation of the political scientist, this is a thought-provoking and wide-ranging text that will make essential reading and will undoubtedly shape the field. A short, lively and innovative text, this book addresses the question of what constitutes good practice in a variety of political science methods and examines the philosophy that underpins them. It argues for a pluralistic approach that will deliver effective analysis and an in-depth understanding of political events. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781403904478

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science (Paperback)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, Gordonsville
• Publication Date: 2015
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1403904472
• ISBN 13: 9781403904478
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This original account of the role of philosophy and methodology in political science gets back to the basics of studying politics. Cutting through long-standing controversies across different theoretical camps within the discipline, Dowding provides an innovative and pluralistic argument for the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches. He offers an analysis of, and a counterbalance to, debates over causal explanation, defending a scientific realist perspective that is open to entirely different methods.

Following an introduction to the major 'isms' of modern political science and international relations, the book takes an incisive look at the nature of explanations and generalizations, theory testing, mechanisms, causation, process tracing, interpretation and conceptual analysis. It enables students of political science methodologies and related disciplines to apply sharp analysis and in-depth philosophical understanding to their study of political events and structures. Concluding with chapters on normative political philosophy and the vocation of the political scientist, this is a thought-provoking and wide-ranging text that will make essential reading and will undoubtedly shape the field.

About the Author

Keith Dowding is Professor of Political Science at Australian National University, and was previously Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics, UK. He has written many articles for major political science and political philosophy journals as well as books including Exits, Voices and Social Investment (Cambridge University Press, 2015) and Accounting for Ministers (Cambridge University Press, 2012).
Keith Dowding is Professor of Political Science at Australian National University, and was previously Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics, UK. He has written many articles for major political science and political philosophy journals as well as books including Exits, Voices and Social Investment (Cambridge University Press, 2015) and Accounting for Ministers (Cambridge University Press, 2012).