Suchergebnisse

It is contended that policy sciences in the US & Europe have entered an era in which "positivism" has been severely shaken, simplistic behavioralist approaches have been abandoned, & the importance of contextual, interdisciplinary, problem-oriented inquiry has been reaffirmed. Challenges posed by the new "economic imperialism" approach to social science issues are examined, & points of similarity & dissimilarity between neoclassical economics & policy sciences are explored in detail. It is hoped that the expansion of the economic approach will stimulate a fresh examination of the application of policy science to economic theory & arenas. 10 References. K. Hyatt

Partial contents: Early behavioralism: the good guys; Backsliding with postwar "neo-behavioralism"; Where are we now?

Argues that science has not lived up to its promise to work for the benefit of society as a whole, because of the narrow perspectives that basic & applied researchers take to their work. Among the barriers to broadening those perspectives is the myth that: the overriding purpose of science in human affairs is prediction; such predictions are prerequisites for major policy decisions; & scientific inputs to these decisions are objective & value-free. This myth is challenged from three standpoints -- epistemology, the historical context, & contemporary case studies -- as a step toward improving the responsibility & accountability of science to society. 79 References. Adapted from the source document.