The Politics of the Social Sciences - Essay Example

The Politics of the Social Sciences The recent recognition of the social sciences as a legitimate field of research has brought into question the degree with which they can, or should, remain free of political bias. Indeed, the subject easily lends itself to the contextual ideals of the culture or society that it is a part of. The social sciences are a relatively new field and are in the process of evolving as theories rise and fall in their attempt to be universal or cross-culturally relevant. Other disciplines, such as the 'hard sciences', are also confronted by the challenge of political bias on modern issues such as energy and global warming. The removal of all political bias dictates that the research and recommendations be based upon quantified data, and not just the more subjective qualified information. The acceptability of politics in science is often a matter of honestly defining the goals of the endeavour. Is it the goal of sociology to examine and report what society has been, what it is, or what we wish it to become It may not be possible to remove the politics from the lens of examination in sociology. In fact, it may not give us the desired outcome. The value of the social sciences is to explain our culture and society in fundamental ways that presents the opportunity for enhancing its design and improving its future. Remaining politically neutral is impossibility for the social scientist, and the political influences that drive the science to present more positive outcomes is a desirable and necessary component. Political bias enters the social science discourse from the beginning during the process of selecting a topic. Topics that deal with diversity, poverty, democracy, and human rights gain increased focus because of their potential to make political change around the world. The proliferation of diversity education courses has been the result of the political appeal that they have for our sense of values regarding "justice, dignity, freedom, and equality" (Perry et al 2009, p.81). They go to the heart of narrowing the gap between the socio-economic classes and portend political neutrality, yet whose political neutrality is being considered in regards to the socio-economic classes According to Wills (2008, p.26), the social sciences have utilized the role of "popular discourse, media representations and state interventions", which are all politically biased sources. Social scientists, in addition to theorizing the workings of the social order, are also tasked with modelling a more positive social structure through the study of its current shortcomings. However, these shortcomings only become apparent with the application of political bias. This is not to say that the research is swayed or blind to its own bias, it merely indicates the importance of political bias as a variable. The development of sound public policy is often a reflection of research that has come about from the work of social scientists that are driven by political ideology. For a social policy to be effective it must operate within a political framework. Consideration for the political environment must go beyond the social scientist, and theorising must not be restricted to the academicians, but must also engage the society, even at its margins (Stenning 2008, p.12). Henry Kissinger (2009) recently commented on the current economic crisis and noted that, "one fundamental reason for the crisis is that the political system of the world and the economic system of the world became totally out of phase with each other". Implementing capitalism with fairness and justice requires a social ideology. Social science, politics, and policy must go hand in hand to be effective, and must have some degree of synchronous goals. Politics in the social sciences is a significant factor that should impact our public policies and laws when its intangible nature "is not captured by dominant forms of rational scientific approaches based upon discovery of rules, laws and patterns" (Arnot & Reay 2007, p.315). In other words, politics fills the void in social science where hard data is not a practical consideration. Politics is a part of the ongoing process from discourse to research and reflects the ideological goal of a positive outcome from a public policy that is based on the participation of all its marginal groups. A major goal of the social sciences is to effect social change, and this cannot be accomplished on a politically neutral playing field. As has been shown, social structure and social policy are politically based and as such social science should welcome the addition of the political element. In fact, in an educational setting political neutrality is an "impossible ideal" (Choudhry 2002, p.54). Universities are the font lines in social innovation and change, but professors often encounter some resistance when politics impacts the curricula. However, the ideal of being politically neutral is merely a method to protect the political status quo as, "theoretical neutrality is suspected as a concealment strategy or as a device for superimposing universalistic norms" (Wilkinson 1994, p.329). Political neutrality dilutes the options for social change when confronted with a social crisis. University research is often charged with the justification of protecting an ethnocentric or minority culture. According to Balch (2006), "It's impossible to frame a program of education without making suppositions about its larger purposes or the type of society it is meant to sustain". Programs that are advocated as being politically neutral are little more than a "cruel facade" that hide a discriminatory political agenda (Choudhry 2002, pp.54-55). Discouraging political neutrality in the social sciences eliminates the protection that is offered to highly discriminatory programs under the illusory guise that equates neutrality with fairness. The impact of political influence in the social sciences will most keenly be felt in the policies that confront the myriad problems associated with globalisation. As an example, the issue of privatisation and its effect on society, will have a significant impact on the future of the global environment, but cannot remain politically neutral. At issue is determining who is better positioned to solve problems such as the distribution of clean water, agricultural sustainability, and energy needs. Is it the government, NGOs, or private international monopolies that are most capable Social scientists will need to consider how they will prioritise the public good in contrast to the free market forces, while keeping in mind the human right to clean and affordable water, food, and basic human needs (Castro 2008, p.76). These controversial issues are at the forefront of the debate on globalisation, and cannot be politically neutral when confronting special interest groups. The people who benefit from existing policies, or are harmed by them, may not be tied together by national borders or ethnicities. However, they share a common need, a common class, or an ideology that unites them as a political unit or social group. According to DeLay and Davidson (2008, p.642), "while political identities are formally defined via the nation-state, an individual citizen may bear a more fundamental relationship with other individuals who share the same ecological territory, but not the same political territory". Social scientists will not be able to sustain neutrality when faced with defining these less traditional social groupings. In fact, politics will impact their findings, outcomes, and recommendations based on the political realities and the political will that they are afforded. Local, regional, and international politics will all bring forces to bear as the scientist looks for solutions that place the public good above the desires of the special interests in a world that is constantly being reshaped by the forces of globalisation and technology. Critics will contend that the introduction of political bias into the social sciences will detract from their legitimacy as hard science and leave their conclusions weakened and uncertain. In fact, quite the opposite is true. While there is a risk of an isolated scientist succumbing to corrupt practices and undermining the credibility of the field, the open acknowledgement that political bias exists as a useful tool will help to mediate this negative consequence. This is in contrast to the medical field, which has a long tradition of political neutrality. Medical research grants are allotted based on a secretive and murky process that is politically driven with no acknowledgement of its presence and no vehicle for measuring its impact. A similar mandate for political neutrality, and its effect, is shown in the US public education policy. According to US law, educational materials must be subjected and reviewed by the latest scientific research available. Yet, the government controls the grant money and therefore is able to direct the definition of research. The biggest benefactor of this mandate for scientific research has been the textbook companies that are able to lobby for new and current research that they themselves conduct (Shaker & Ruitenberg 2007, p.214). Once again, there is the evidence that political neutrality is simply a thin veil that hides corruption and discrimination. In the meantime, educators are locked out of the process. The government's task of protecting the public good through the insistence on political neutrality has led to the "marginalization of the education profession from policy-making in its own field" (Shaker & Ruitenberg 2007, p.217). If there had been an open allowance for political influence in educational materials, it would have reduced the opportunity for corruption. In conclusion, political neutrality in the social sciences is not only unrealistic, but it is an undesirable goal. The study of society and culture is largely a study of the political forces that shape it, and research that is designed to improve the future will necessarily need to have a political basis. Technology and globalisation have further focused the public's attention on ideology and its effect on economics, equality, and human rights. Political bias plays an important role in the decision making process and needs to be included in any serious attempt to produce a positive outcome. In fact, political neutrality is an indication of a hidden agenda that is covering an underlying discriminatory policy. Disciplines, such as the hard sciences, have traditionally been assumed to be politically neutral, but easily succumb to corruption and dishonesty, and are then left unchallenged by an unsuspecting public. Solutions to the problems facing the global community will require innovative political cooperation and a creative use of proven ideologies. Open and honest political bias will be the basis that the solutions will be built upon. References Arnot, M., & Reay, D., 2007, 'A sociology of pedagogic voice: power, inequality and pupil consultation', Discourse: studies in the cultural politics of education, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 311-325 Balch, S., 2006, 'The dubious value of value-neutrality', The Journal of Higher Education, vol. 52, no. 41, (Online Academic Search Premier). Castro, J., 'Neoliberal water and sanitation policies as a failed development strategy: lessons from developing countries', Progress in Development Studies, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 63-83. Choudhry, S., 2002, 'National minorities and ethnic immigrants: liberalism's political sociology', The Journal of Political Philosophy, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 54-78 DeLay, R., & Davidson, D., 2008, 'The environment and a globalizing sociology', Canadian Journal of Sociology, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 631-655. Kissinger, K., 2009, 'Kissinger Quotes', New Atlanticist, 16 January 2008, viewed 12 February 2009, . Perry, G., Moore, H., Edwards, C., Acosta, K., & Frey, C., 2009, 'Maintaining credibility and authority as an instructor of color in diversity-education classrooms: a qualitative inquiry', The Journal of Higher Education, vol. 80, no. 1, pp. 80-105. Shaker, P., & Ruitenberg, C., 2007, 'Scientifically-based research': the art of politics and the distortion of science', International Journal of Research & Method in Education, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 207-219. Stenning, A., 'For working class geographies', Antipode, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 9-14. Wilkinson, D., 1994, 'Transforming the social order: the role of the university in social change', Sociological Forum, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 325-341. Wills, J., 2008, 'Mapping class and its political possibilities', Antipode, vol. 40, no. 1, pp. 25-30. Read More