tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post5891162521227567700..comments2023-10-11T05:42:29.101-04:00Comments on Soc'ing Out Loud: The Myopics of Political ScienceBrad Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12851627786696484562noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post-86325283470702752962012-08-10T12:33:59.677-04:002012-08-10T12:33:59.677-04:00I received an email comment from a respected frien...I received an email comment from a respected friend and colleague in PoliSci who thought that I was in some way making a statement about the "merits" of her profession. On the contrary, I noted the important role that the discipline plays. I applaud PoliSci's work in understanding the process; at the same time, I caution that often that has come at the expense of the context of the process.Brad Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12851627786696484562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post-23208905653804202082012-08-10T12:25:23.636-04:002012-08-10T12:25:23.636-04:00William, I'm confused by your comment. If you&...William, I'm confused by your comment. If you'll send me copies of your book(s), I'd be glad to post a review here on the blog.Brad Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12851627786696484562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post-10694464124581481522012-08-10T08:26:34.917-04:002012-08-10T08:26:34.917-04:00Ah, I gotcha now.
I'm always in a dilemma be...Ah, I gotcha now. <br /><br />I'm always in a dilemma because part of me sees the process from an operative mindset (ie, how can it be exploited) based on my experiences in undegrad years. This is obviously in stark contrast to the policy outcome focus of my grad school experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post-70617180127506445562012-08-09T18:49:32.353-04:002012-08-09T18:49:32.353-04:00Actually, the profession is NOT as detached from t...Actually, the profession is NOT as detached from the results as you seem to think. The professional pretense at "neutrality" is actually results oriented. The political principle underlying poli sci is (like Hegel said)- what is is good. The profession gets numerous perks for refraining from being critical of the established powers. Cushy university positions, donations to big schools from "nonprofits," free conventions in places like Las Vegas, and New Orleans (this month), paid sabbaticals, easy access to publishing companies, etc.<br /><br />RE: "I wonder how much of this is an inevitable part of our nature as social beings in a democracy and how much is a more malleable part of our culture. This seems ripe for comparative-historical research." Done, and by an old pro!Read, The Human Birth Defect<br />William J. Kelleher, Ph.D.<br />Twitter: wjkno1<br />Author: Internet Voting Now! and The Human Birth DefectWilliam J. Kelleher, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16795242019533325261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post-37252475832145421492012-08-09T11:50:44.862-04:002012-08-09T11:50:44.862-04:00I don't disagree, Daniel. What I'm trying ...I don't disagree, Daniel. What I'm trying to argue is that any discipline that studies process detached from result runs the risk of valuing the process despite the result (or at times even over the result). The study of the processes is *essential*--but only in so much as it has an effect on a result. If Political Science has splintered its concern over the results into a new discipline, policy studies, the problem has been institutionalized. Sociology is historically guilty of something quite similar as Social Work, an application of the science, was jettisoned long ago.Brad Kochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12851627786696484562noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194240697382766576.post-45711548999237090572012-08-09T10:52:29.569-04:002012-08-09T10:52:29.569-04:00It seems to me that the study of political science...It seems to me that the study of political science IS the study of the game. Political Science is about the process.<br /><br />Determining the outcome and spillover effects of different policies is more the realm of Public Administration and Policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com