Strategies of Political InquiryElinor Ostrom The essays in this volume, written by leading political scientists, express discontent with the prevailing basis of political studies. They find that the acceptance of a logical positivist view of what makes a valid theory has led to a concentration on questions of method. How to describe political relationships quantitatively, how to measure and compare patterns of policy and behaviour: these are the kind of topics that have concerned researchers not dedicated solely to qualitative methods. They are seeking, still, an empirical foundation for political science, clear cut and consistent patterns that are repeated often enough in the data to need theories to account for them. |
Contents
Preface | 9 |
Reflections on | 29 |
Is There a Micro Theory Consistent with Contextual Analysis? | 99 |
Copyright | |
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accurate description actors aggregation argue argument assumptions attributes auxiliary conditions basic beliefs Boolean algebra causal chapter collective action collective choice level collective decisions Common-pool resources complex constitutional choice consumers contextual effects critical theory decision makers decision situation democratic developed economic economists edited Elinor Ostrom empirical environment example fluid framework historical important individual's industrial institutional arrangements intentional explanations intentionalist Intercollegiate Tennis Intercollegiate Tennis Association levels of analysis Logic Mancur Olson ment method methodological individualism neoclassical neoclassical economics occur Olson operational level organizing principle Ostrom outcomes participants particular pipe player Poiseuille's Law political behavior political inquiry political science political scientists postindustrial societies predict problems produce propositional calculus propositions question reasons relationships rules social interaction social science social scientists specific steel strategy structure Susanne Langer theoretical theory tinkertoy tion University variables vote