A Model Discipline: Political Science and the Logic of RepresentationsPolitical science is an intensely quantitative discipline, and models are central. Political scientists use models—formal and informal, statistical and qualitative—to investigate and illuminate causal mechanisms, generate comparative data, and understand the conditions under which certain outcomes are expected to occur. But even though the use of models has grown dramatically in the discipline, there is very little understanding among political scientists of the role or function that models play in the scientific enterprise more generally. Moreover, theoretical models and empirical models have traditionally been treated as separate (hence the division between theorists and empiricists). Today, however, the emphasis is on using models to generate testable predictions that serve as hypotheses for subsequent data analysis. But how do we justify and rationalize the method? Why test predictions from a deductive, and thus truth-preserving, system? David Primo and Kevin Clarke tackle these central questions in this novel work of methodology. They argue that the lack of a suitable justification for model testing is not the only reason to revisit the role of models in political science. Most importantly, they contend that models should be seen as 'objects' and thus neither true nor false. Rather, they should be evaluated in the same fashion as models are evaluated in the physical sciences—good models are useful for particular purposes. Nothing more, nothing less. Divided into two parts, the book first establishes that no social scientific endeavor is philosophy-free. The second part focuses on different types of models, and closes with a framework for integrating theoretical and statistical models. |
Contents
1 A Model Discipline | 1 |
2 The Science in Political Science | 20 |
3 What Is a Model? | 52 |
4 Theoretical Models | 78 |
5 Empirical Models | 104 |
6 Explanation | 134 |
7 Conclusion | 168 |
Notes | 182 |
Bibliography | 190 |
Name Index | 206 |
212 | |
Other editions - View all
A Model Discipline: Political Science and the Logic of Representations Kevin A. Clarke,David M. Primo No preview available - 2012 |
Common terms and phrases
Achen affirming the consequent American Political Science analysis approach argument assumptions bargaining Bayesian Boston Boston subway causal mechanism chapter claim Clarke computational models confirmation construct deductive democracy democratic derived discipline discussion distributive politics Economic EITM Elster empirical models evaluation example exist falsificationism falsificationist falsify formal model Fraassen game theory Giere goal Granato Green and Shapiro hypothesis testing hypothetico-deductivism implications Krehbiel legislative limited accuracy logical positivism logical positivists mathematical methodology model testing model-based view models in political null hypothesis observation outcomes philosophy of science political science Political Science Review political scientists precisely prediction problem proposal purpose question rational choice Rational Choice Theory real-world system Received View regression relationship Riker role scholars similar social sciences specific statement statistical model structure subway map Suppe test theoretical models testable theoretical and empirical theory testing three-step method true or false understanding van Fraassen variables voters voting