What's Wrong with APD?

In: Studies in American political development, Band 17, Heft 1, S. 107-110

Abstract

A comment on John Gerring's article, "APD from a Methodological Point of View," contends that Gerring "puts the cart before the horse" by letting problems of method take precedence over considerations of the theoretical direction of the study of politics. Although Gerring avoids sticky methodological debates to focus on the development of clear concepts, propositions, & logic, the works he cites do not appear as unclear as he claims. It is argued that the greatest difficulty currently facing American Political Development (APD) is not a lack of clarity but uncertainty about what the APD project is & should be. Gerring fails to offer adequate evidence to support his charge of field indifference or to back up his critiques of books by Richard Bensel, Stephen Skowronek, & Rogers M. Smith. Further, Gerring's easy remedy of better research design ignores APD's real deficiencies. It is concluded that historically oriented political scientists are producing better work than ever before but the field of APD has become less coherent & distinct. The potential for APD to retain a distinctive voice is discussed. J. Lindroth