General Conclusion

Abstract

We asked ourselves at the outset of this work what could make models in the social sciences as effective as many models in the natural sciences. Our tendency was to think that a closer link between empirical investigation and theoretical work might increase the explanatory power of our models. We examined several different kinds of models, and different ways of constructing them. That examination, continued throughout the twelve chapters, enabled us to determine the strengths and weaknesses of the models. In particular, we were able to show that theory’s contributions to the explanation of social phenomena vary. And that allowed me to frame a number of propositions, which are discussed in the conclusions to each of the four main sections. I will now bring these together under the heading of a general conclusion to the entire work.