Page 15 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Information and Literature Survey in Social Sciences Jovita Kaur, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 2: Historical Development of Economics and

Political Science Disciplines

CONTENTS

Objectives
Introduction
2.1 Contribution Made by Prominent Authors in Development of Economics
2.2 Contribution Made by Prominent Authors in Development of Political Science
2.3 Summary
2.4 Keywords
2.5 Review Questions
2.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
y Analyse the growth trends in economics and political science disciplines
y Know the contribution made by prominent authors in development of economics and political
science disciplines.

Introduction

There are a number of prominent authors who did some significant contribution the development of
social science disciplines. The impact of the natural sciences, both in the academia and the larger society,
catalysed an attempt to introduce scientific methodologies in those disciplines that were concerned
with humans and society. Along with this, a conscious process of institutionalisation made possible
the establishment of the various disciplines of social sciences. Thus the evolution of these disciplines
and their formal institutionalisation has been a dynamic and continuous process, which has been in
constant dialogue and debate with various other factors.
While the influence of the natural sciences has been significant in the growth of these disciplines, it is
also the case that a critique of the natural sciences has been best offered by these same disciplines. In
the Indian context, the appropriation of some of these disciplines in a disjointed manner has led to,
among other things, haphazard programmes, lack of professionalism and inability to sustain quality
teaching and research.
One of the defining aspects of the Enlightenment in the West was the priority given to the natural
sciences. Scientific ‘reason’, which involved some of the central tenets of the scientific method such
as observation, experimentation, prediction and explanation, was seen as the ideal form of reason.
The origins of the social sciences lie in the attempt to describe and explain society in a manner
similar to the ways in which the natural sciences described and explained the world. (Frontline,
volume 18)

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