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Against a descriptive turn.

Nicholas Gane1

  • 1Department of Sociology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

The British Journal of Sociology
|November 30, 2019
PubMed
Summary

This paper argues against prioritizing sociological description over explanation and causal analysis. It emphasizes the need to question, explain, and analyze the structures creating social inequalities, rather than merely describing them.

Area of Science:

  • Sociology
  • Social Sciences

Background:

  • Critiques Mike Savage's argument for prioritizing description in sociology.
  • Addresses Savage and Burrows' "The Coming Crisis of Empirical Sociology".
  • Discusses the tension between descriptive research and causal analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To argue for the necessity of explanation and analysis in sociology.
  • To counter the prioritization of descriptive practices over fundamental questions of causality.
  • To advocate for analyzing the mechanisms behind social inequalities.

Main Methods:

  • Restates Savage's call for descriptive sociology.
  • Addresses Savage's critique of "epochalist thinking" and neoliberalism.
  • Responds to the use of Thomas Piketty's work in sociological descriptions.
Keywords:
classcrisisinequalityneoliberalismpower

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Main Results:

  • Sociology must move beyond mere description of inequalities.
  • Explanation and analysis are crucial for understanding social phenomena.
  • The structures and mechanisms creating, reproducing, and sustaining inequalities require scrutiny.

Conclusions:

  • Prioritizing description over explanation risks superficial sociological work.
  • Sociology should focus on the "why" and "how" of social life and politics.
  • Analyzing the root causes of social inequalities is imperative.