Notes on the Role of Social Sciences
in Recent Public Discourse
Risto Kunelius
School of Social Sciences and
Humanities
Usually, this science [statistics] is connected to boring and dry numbers with
endless and complex tables. But in fact not many other fields of inquiry are as
diverse and offer as much food for thought, not to mention that having more
accurate facts about both the physical and mental situation in our fatherland
isIMAGINING
absolutely vitalAND
to anyone
who loves
his country”.
(Snellman 1845).
BUILDING
THE
NATION
The (romantic) ideologist
“ for sociology, the most central question concerns the functions and
effects of sociological knowledge in society”.” Allardt & Littunen,1979..
PLANNING AND MANAGING THE WELFARE STATE
The expert
“Sociology is seen as an activity which analyses, deconstructs and breaks
old, worn out models of thought about society. Sociologists are more
cautious than before in presenting positive models, since they are aware of
the dangers of the role of the ideologist.” Alasuutari 1988)
DECONSTRUCTING THE SYSTEM, REPRESENTING
THE DIVERSITY OF MEANINGS
The (ironic) system critic
EARLIER?
Nation state > markets
Planning, expertize
•Nation building (1840 =>)
NOW?
Global Markets > states
Competition, innovation,
evolution
* National competition
imperative
•System reform (1950 =>)
* System ’rationalization’
•’Life-world protection &
celebration’ (1980=>)
• Life-world creativity
commodification
The ’people’/
nation
success in
comptetition?
?
Market
(money)
Academy
Innovation
science
Evidence
science
Science of
”excellence”
(reputation)
Public
science ?
Policy networks
Civil society
(power/legitimation)
(representation)