Ferejohn, External and Internal Explanation

Problems and Methods in the Study of Politics

• Edited by Ian Shapiro, Rogers M. Smith, and Tarek E. Masoud

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

I. External and Internal Explanation (John Ferejohn)

Introduction

• The social sciences should prioritize solving actual problems over developing methodologies.

• Concerns:

  • Misallocation of resources towards methodology rather than real problems needing explanation.

  • Method-driven explanations may lead to distorted accounts of events.

• Preferring open-ended attempts to understand phenomena instead of adhering to specific methodologies is essential to avoid dogmatism.

Importance of Methodologies

• Development of methodologies allows social sciences to contribute meaningfully to understanding events.

• Methodological focus can illuminate neglected issues and reinterpret evidence.

• Engagement with multiple methodologies may aid understanding, proposing that understanding is multifaceted.

Methodological Eclecticism

• Emphasizes the necessity and defensibility of using multiple methodologies in social sciences.

• Acknowledgment of the limits of method-driven social science for certain historically significant phenomena.

II. Singular Events: An Example

Definition and Context

• Singular events mark pivotal moments in history, such as important wars, elections, or decisions (e.g., U.S. elections of 1800, Truman's atomic decision).

• Singular events are diverse and bear significance due to their rarity and implications.

Challenges in Explanation

• Difficulty arises when trying to find commonalities among singular events.

• Explanatory challenges stem from both the uniqueness of each event and the theory-dependent nature of their significance.

• Example: Munich Agreement's significance rests upon subsequent events and shared interpretations.

III. Two Approaches to Explanation

External vs. Internal Explanation

• External Explanations: Focuses on causal influences that lead to actions.

• Internal Explanations: Emphasizes justification of actions from an agent's perspective.

• Both approaches are vital in understanding social phenomena, leading to an essential convergence in explanatory practice.

Methodological Implications

• Both strategies serve to deepen understanding without dismissing one another.

IV. Rationality and Causation in Human Action

Internal Perspectives

• Rationality involves choices made based on agents' beliefs and desires.

• Internal Explanation: Justifies actions based on reasons available to the agent.

Limitations of Rationality

• Bounded rationality highlights limitations in decision-making influenced by cognitive constraints.

• Despite the causal insights it provides, it risks oversimplifying human agency.

Bridging Perspectives

• Rational choice theory acts as a bridge between internal and external accounts of action.

• Acknowledges that human actions are influenced not just by causal factors but also by normative guidelines.

Convergence and Methodology

• Recognizes that description and explanation in social sciences must account for both causal processes and normative influences.

• A clear focus on methodologies is crucial for future social science inquiries to avoid loss of critical analysis.

Conclusion

• Methodological diversity enriches the understanding of complex social phenomena.

• Emphasizes a nuanced reading of individual events alongside systematic methodologies to fully grasp human agency and action.

The text discusses the importance of prioritizing actual problems in social sciences over methodological concerns. It emphasizes the need for methodological eclecticism, recognizing the complexities and significance of singular historical events while advocating for a combination of internal and external explanation approaches to enrich the understanding of human actions and social phenomena.