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- Title
Taking Explanation Seriously in Political Science.
- Authors
Daigneault, Pierre-Marc; Béland, Daniel
- Abstract
The concept of 'explanation' has attracted considerable attention in the social sciences, and particularly within political science. However, scholars are not always familiar with what explaining political phenomena means, let alone with what it entails for developing sound causal arguments. This article introduces Craig Parsons' typology of explanation before assessing its value for the causal analysis of political behaviour and processes. As argued, despite its limitations, this typology clearly maps four types of explanation in political science (institutional, ideational, structural and psychological) while helping scholars to combine them more rigorously when needed. This is why Parsons' typology has the potential to move political scientists to the 'next level' as far as 'explanation' is concerned.
- Subjects
POLITICAL science; SOCIAL sciences; CAUSATION (Philosophy); EXPLANATION; IDEA (Philosophy)
- Publication
Political Studies Review, 2015, Vol 13, Issue 3, p384
- ISSN
1478-9299
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/1478-9302.12055