AMERICAN HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE: A TRIAL BALANCE

In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Band 20, Heft 2, S. 319-330

Abstract

Literature related mainly to group structure & group pol'al behavior is reviewed to illustrate the increasing interconnection between soc sci & historical sci in terms of the concepts used & insights achieved. The concept of 'ideal types' is found to have less analytical meaning in historical studies than the concepts 'nat'l culture,' 'soc structure,' 'mobility,' 'status pol,' etc. Criteria for good & bad applications of soc sci concepts to history are difficult to formulate in categoric terms. The ability of the historian to balance concept & data effectively is crucial. In this balance, the data factor is the most important element because it is in terms of data that the concept separates itself from the broad extension open to it in terms of theory & achieves the kind of definition that makes its use meaningful to historians. Some concepts may play a greater role in some periods of history & in the behavior of some groups than in others. Difficulties arise because of the lack of documentation available to the historian, esp re nonquantitative concepts on group behavior which are rooted in individual & soc psychol. The absence of a real dialogue between the soc sci'st & the historian as well as the soc sci'st's lack of interest in history are deplored. While historians recently began to use a soc sci & quantitative approach particularly in efforts to explain the pol'al behavior of groups, they are still neglecting theory. Econometric techniques & the computer are substituted for theory & imagination. Empiricism should tie in with theory-whether historical or soc sci theory. A further development of both is desireable. Emphasis on quantification in pol'al & econ history has influenced proposals for the training & retraining of historians. It also raises the question of whether there is too much emphasis on quantitative vs nonquantitative concepts. At present, relatively few historical data can be quantified meaningfully. The training in soc sci for historians ought to reflect this situation. It is suggested that in such training the discipline of soc sci should be by-passed in order to focus upon the concept, esp the non-quantitative concept 'which bears the burden of the bulk of historical explanation.' Training should emphasize the data dimension of the concept while not neglecting theory. M. Maxfield.