Concepts and Method in Social Science : The Tradition of Giovanni Sartori (Introduction)

Careful work with concepts is a cornerstone of good social science methodology. This book, Concepts and Method in Social Science, demonstrates the crucial role of concepts, drawing on both the classic contributions of Giovanni Sartori and the writing of a younger generation of scholars. Part 1 includes selections from Sartori's writing on concepts and method. These chapters discuss concept formation, conceptual stretching, the necessary logical steps in moving from conceptualization to measurement, and relationships among meanings, terms, and observations. Part II presents work of scholars who extend the Sartori tradition, including chapters on five key concepts employed political research: revolution, culture, democracy, peasants, and institutionalization. Part III offers a broader picture of Sartori and his contributions. It includes an autobiographical essay by Sartori himself — in which he explores the role of “Chance, Luck, and Stubbornness” in his career — as well as reflections by five former students on Sartori as a teacher and mentor. The final chapter is a comprehensive bibliography of his work