Focus on Postmodernisms: A Rejoinder

In: Journal of peace research, Band 34, Heft 3, S. 337-338

Abstract

A rejoinder to Steve Smith's & Heikki Patomaki's (both, 1997 [see abstracts 9806264 & 9806255, respectively]) replies to Osterud's (1996 [see abstract 9712328]) critique of postmodernist discourse focuses on three central themes: (1) Smith misread the initial text, inaccurately characterizing the original arguments against postmodern utility in social science. (2) The linguistic style of postmodern constructivism fails to specify analytical methods & standards necessary for postpositivist scholarship; Smith's & Patomaki's arguments do not adequately clarify epistemological value & scholarly criteria from a postmodernist vantage. (3) When discussed in an explicit manner, postmodernist claims offer little of relevance beyond existing contributions from the social sciences. J. Goldshmidt