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Prediction, history, and political science

Northcott, Robert (2021) Prediction, history, and political science. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Political science usually requires either prediction or contextual historical work to succeed. Because of the difficulty of prediction, the main focus should often be contextual historical work. Both of these methods favor narrow-scope explanations. I illustrate, via an example, the role that this still leaves for theory. I conclude by assessing the scope for political science to offer policy advice. All of this tells against several practices that are widespread in the discipline.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Northcott, Robertr.northcott@bbk.ac.uk
Additional Information: to appear in: Harold Kincaid and Jeroen van Bouwel (eds), Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Political Science
Keywords: prediction; history; explanation; political science; theory
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Science and Policy
Specific Sciences > Sociology
Depositing User: Dr Robert Northcott
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2021 03:42
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2021 03:42
Item ID: 19319
Subjects: General Issues > Explanation
General Issues > Models and Idealization
General Issues > Science and Policy
Specific Sciences > Sociology
Date: 14 July 2021
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/19319

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