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Important new developments have strengthened the standing of the soc sci's in the federal gov. Historical analysis emphasizes the recency of the gov's recognition of the national contributions of soc sci res. Signif progress has been made despite critical fluctuations. 5 factors contributing to the more favored gov'al position of soc sci res are (1) changing congressional att's; (2) acceptance of the soc sci's at the White House level; (3) inclusion of the soc sci's as part of broad definitions of sci'fic disciplines; (4) the general post-Sputnik interest in US educ; & (5) the concern with redressing imbalance in US higher educ. Res support for the soc sci's is growing but a critical shortage remains in funds for fellowships & assistantships. The soc sci's approach the next decade in a climate of acceptance & encouragement. AA.

Let me begin with a simple theme, repentance, and a simple message: repent from complacency in the practice and defense of social science history (SSH). I say this because I do not see social science historians meeting three major challenges that must be overcome if the larger, collective enterprise is to survive with the same vitality it had a decade ago. Those challenges are, first, to bring social theory forcefully back into historical research; second, to take formal methods to a new, higher level; and, third, to seek to train the next generation of social science historians in the theory and methods they will need in the next century.

▪ Abstract  In recent years, the concept of boundaries has been at the center of influential research agendas in anthropology, history, political science, social psychology, and sociology. This article surveys some of these developments while describing the value added provided by the concept, particularly concerning the study of relational processes. It discusses literatures on (a) social and collective identity; (b) class, ethnic/racial, and gender/sex inequality; (c) professions, knowledge, and science; and (d) communities, national identities, and spatial boundaries. It points to similar processes at work across a range of institutions and social locations. It also suggests paths for further developments, focusing on the relationship between social and symbolic boundaries, cultural mechanisms for the production of boundaries, difference and hybridity, and cultural membership and group classifications.