Area Studies and the Discipline: A Useful Controversy?

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Citation Bates, Robert H. 1997. Area studies and the discipline: A useful controversy? PS: Political Science and Politics 30, no. 2: 166-169.

Published Version http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/420485

Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:3638435

Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA Controversy in the Discipline: Area Studies and Comparative Politics

Area Studies and the Discipline: A Useful Controversy?*

Robert H. Bates, Harvard University

When arguments become polarized, the standard employed by the eth- The professional audience of social it often signals that divisions are nographer: serious scholarship, they scientists consists of other scholars falsely drawn. Such appears to be believe, must be based upon field from their discipline who share simi- the case with this controversy. Why research. The professional audience lar theoretical concerns-and who must one choose between area stud- of area specialists consists of re- draw their data from a variety of ies and the discipline? There are searchers from many disciplines, who regions of the world. strong reasons for endorsing both. In have devoted their scholarly life to Like all caricatures, these depic- this essay, I sketch the current de- work on the region or nation. tions distort in order to highlight bate and explore the ways in local Those who consider themselves important elements of reality. The knowledge can and is being incorpo- "social scientists" seek to identify implications of this reality have pro- rated into general analytic frame- lawful regularities, which, by implica- foundly unsettled our discipline. works. I conclude by stressing the tion, must not be context bound. Most immediately, the shift from work that lies ahead. In doing so, it Rather than seeking a deeper under- area studies to "social scientific" ap- should be stressed, I deal only with standing of a particular area, social proaches has influenced graduate political science. The dynamics in scientists strive to develop general training. Graduate students, whose other disciplines, I have found, differ theories and to identify, and test, resources of time and money are greatly from those within our own hypotheses derived from them. So- necessarily limited, increasingly shift (Bates et al. 1993). cial scientists will attack with confi- from the study of a region to in- dence political data extracted from struction in theory and methods. any region of the world. They will When confronted by a choice be- Caricaturing the Present Divide approach electoral data from South tween a course in African history or Within political science, area spe- Africa in the same manner as that one in econometrics, given their con- cialists are multidisciplinary by incli- from the United States and eagerly straints, many now choose the latter. nation and training. In addition to address cross-national data sets, The shift from area specialization knowing the politics of a region or thereby manifesting their rejection of to "social science" also alters the nation, they seek also to master its the presumption that political regu- balance of power within the acad- history, literature, and languages. larities are area-bound. Social scien- emy. Political science departments They not only absorb the work of tists do not seek to master the litera- have long resembled federations, humanists but also that of other so- ture on a region but rather to with their faculty in comparative pol- cial scientists. Area specialists invoke master the literature of a discipline. itics dwelling within semi-autono-

166 PS: Political Science & Politics Area Studies and the Discipline

mous, area studies units. Possessing demics are being required to estab- acquired greater significance. On the access to resources for seminars, ad- lish new priorities, as we adjust to other, this trend will promote a ministrative support, fellowships, re- tighter constraints. transformation in the comparative search and travel independent of the study of politics; it will force those department, the comparative politics who have a command of local to the New Realities faculty has had little reason to defer Reacting knowledge to enter into dialogue to the demands of department Many departments were once with those who seek to understand heads. The move toward a disciplin- characterized by a core of techno- how institutional variation affects ary-oriented view of comparative crats, many of whom specialized in political outcomes or who see partic- politics, and the declining resource the study of American politics, and a ular political systems as specific real- base for area studies, has shifted the congery of others, many of whom izations of broader political pro- political center of gravity back to the studied foreign political systems. Stu- cesses. chairs, who can now apply disciplin- dents of American politics viewed Pressures from outside the disci- ary criteria, rather than area knowl- themselves as social scientists; but pline amplify these changes; they edge, in evaluating and rewarding the political system on which they emerge from trends that have af- professional contributions. concentrated, they came to realize, fected political systems throughout Change in the notions of profes- was singularly devoid of variation. the world. Following the recession of sional merit also alters the balance Even comparisons across states the 1980s, authoritarian governments of power between genera- fell, and the collapse of com- tions. Old field hands are munism in Eastern Europe giving way to young techni- further contributed to the cians. It is those in the mid- spread of democracy. This dle who are the most threat- < change underscored the ened. Like their elders, they < -~-., broader relevance of the & have trained as area special- ~ t Americanists' research into ists; but they are being eval- 1^, elections, legislatures and po- uated by a new set of stan- ~~ N Hs< litical parties. The spread of dards-ones by which they ||> market forces and the liberal- compare unfavorably with 1 K. ization of economic systems younger scholars. The mid- E highlighted the broader sig- career scholars now scram- nificance of research con- ble to master the new vocab- ducted on the advanced in- ulary and techniques; and dustrial democracies as well. departments that once would The impact of economic con- have readily promoted them ditions upon voting, the poli- too often decide to refrain tics of central banking, the from doing so, in the expec- within the greater federation failed effect of openness upon parti- tation of later filling the slots from to provide insight into differences, san cleavages and political institu- the best and brightest of the new say, between presidential and parlia- tions: long studied in the Western generation. mentary systems, much less between democracies, these subjects have re- The result of these changes is polities in market as opposed to cen- cently become important, and re- heightened tension within the field, trally planned economies. A vocal searchable, in the formerly socialist as the resonates with controversy minority within American politics systems in the North and in the de- divisions between scholars of differ- had long dismissed students of com- veloping nations of the South. As ent locations within the generations, parative politics as "mere area students of comparative have and in their ca- spe- politics university, stages but the more addressed have come in- reers. cialists;" sophisticated them, they increasingly realized that their hard creasingly to share intellectual orien- Clearly, the causes of these ten- won, cumulative, scientific knowl- tations, and a sense of sions lie outside the academy: they necessary about in the United skills and with their more lie in the rising concerns with gov- edge politics training, ernment deficits and the end of the States was itself area-bound. There "social scientific" colleagues in the cold war. The one has led to reduc- therefore arose among Americanists discipline. tions in spending for higher educa- a demand for comparative political The attention given to King, tion; the other, to a lower priority research, and some of the most the- Keohane, and Verba's Designing So- on area training. For reasons I do oretically ambitious among them cial Inquiry (1994) provides a mea- not fully understand, rather than sought to escape the confines im- sure of the impact of these trends. It cushioning the impact of these posed by the American political sys- suggests the urgency with which stu- changes, foundations have instead tem. dents of comparative politics feel a exacerbated them by moving in con- On the one hand, this trend cre- need for guidance, as they have cert with the government. Resources ates allies for comparativists who sought ways to move from the in for the study of foreign areas are seek to resist retrenchment; their depth study of cases, typical of area therefore declining, and we in aca- knowledge of political variation has studies, to sophisticated research

June 1997 167 Controversy and the Discipline: Area Studies and Comparative Politics designs, required for scientific infer- Colson's well-known research into when this is the case formalization ence. the Plateau Tonga of Zambia inspires new insights as well. Others (1974). The lives of the Tonga, she might be crashingly obvious. But reports, resemble the Rousseauian even jejune propositions, if deduced Fusion Deeper myth, with people residing in peace- from a theory, are significant; for The field is thus undergoing signif- ful communities, sharing their be- when they are tested, it is the theory icant changes, and the increased longings, and legislating wisely in from which they derive that is put at stringency of funding strengthens village assemblies. But, Colson re- risk. Embedding narrative accounts these trends. Less visible, but highly ports, the surface harmony disguises in theories thus increases the oppor- significant, forces run just below the deep fears: of the greed and envy of tunities for testing; it therefore in- surface and these too will shape the neighbors, of their wrath, and of creases our ability to judge the ade- final outcome. Insofar as they do so, their desire and capacity to harm. quacy of an explanation. they may well define a new synthesis. While the lives of the Plateau Tonga By the same token, theory must I refer to a synthesis not only be- may resemble the accounts of Rous- be complemented by contextual tween area studies and the seau, their beliefs, she finds, are bet- knowledge. Consider the problem discipline but also between faced by an observer who en- context-specific knowledge counters a person who is in- and formal theory, as devel- / flictingdamage upon another. oped in the study of choice. N If a family head, he may be Area studies emphasizes <\ refusing a request for bride f the importance of cultural wealth; if a faction leader, he distinctions. Cultures are dis- )( may be withholdingpatron- tinguished by their institu- age; if a mayor, she may be tions. Game theoretic tech- -_ j bringing the forces of the law niques, established for the to bear upon a rival political. study of economic and politi- d' Such actions inflict harm. But, cal organizations, provide a in interpreting their political source of formal tools for importance, the observer will investigating such institutions. need to know: Do they repre- They show how institutions sent initial defections? Or do shape individual choices and they represent punishments collective outcomes, and ter captured in the writings of Hob- for an earlier defection? With- therefore provide a framework for bes. Colson resolves the paradoxical out knowledge of the history, the exploring the origins of political dif- contrast between beliefs and behav- investigator cannot determine the ference. ior by arguing that it is the beliefs significance of these behaviors. The Cultures are also distinguished by that support peaceful conduct: peo- first history suggests that they should be as a their histories and beliefs. The the- ple scrupulously choose to act in analyzed political rupture; the that should be ory of decisions with imperfect infor- ways that preserve the peace, she second, they treated as a of a mation, newly prominent in political argues, for fear of the violence they punishment phase that in fact con- science, can be used to explore the would unleash should they impinge game-a phase may stitute a prelude to reconciliation. In manner in which such differences upon the interests of others. the absence of local knowledge, the arise and matter. Individuals with Viewed in terms of game theory, actions remain observationally equiv- similar expectations, it shows, come Colson's argument represents a alent; nothing in the theory alone to diverge in their beliefs if exposed claim that behaving courteously con- suggests their strategic significance to different data; persons can be stitutes an The equilibrium strategy. and thus their implications for subse- their histories. Even if is in shaped by strategy supported equilibrium quent interactions. Just as in the to the same decision beliefs as to the costs that would exposed data, by parable related by Geertz, a "wink" will theory suggests, persons revise be incurred were people to stray differs from a "twitch," so too does their beliefs in different if from the ways, they equilibrium path. It would strategic behavior thus require inter- different likelihood bring functions be easy to use the theory of games pretation. To be analyzed correctly, to bear upon observations. The the- to specify the conditions under such behavior needs to be addressed ory of decisions thus yields insight which the argument follows. More by theory that is informed by empiri- into the way in which history and significantly, doing so would suggest cal observation (1973). world views shape individual choices additional insights into what must To the degree that rational choice and therefore collective outcomes. also necessarily be true for the argu- theory comes to occupy a central The theory thus provides a frame- ment to hold. Given that this is so, position within the discipline, then, work for exploring cross-cultural dif- transforming the narrative into a the conflict between area studies and ferences. rational choice account would gener- the "social scientific" core of politi- The relationship between "local ate additional testable implications cal science will be misplaced. The knowledge" and rational choice the- (Ferejohn 1991). Some of these im- approach provides explanations for ory can be illustrated by Elizabeth plications might be non-obvious; difference; it requires knowledge of

168 PS: Political Science & Politics Area Studies and the Discipline

the difference for the construction comparative politics. For not only will be the capacity of someone who and testing of its accounts. It pro- will our students need to possess has invested heavily in the knowl- vides a framework which transforms area skills, such as languages; they edge of an area to respond to a ethnography and narratives into the- will also need training in the skills dean, provost, or departmental chair ory-driven claims, amenable to refu- long expected of students in the who inquires: "What has the study tation and it requires precisely tar- American subfield: formal theory, of your area contributed to the geted observations to establish the statistics, and the mathematics to do broader discipline?" Each of us who force of its arguments (Bates et al both. Others will need to train in specializes in the study of an area economics as well. Just when univer- forthcoming). should be able to respond to this It is to realize that the administrators are to important sity seeking question. We will, I am afraid, in- debate has been reduce the of time present energized length necessary creasingly have to do so. by adjacent controversies. It echoes to secure a degree, this subfield will recent ideological struggles. The de- need to accommodate longer resi- bate over area studies is often exac- dencies. Administrators and depart- erbated by debates over the merits ment heads will have to adjust their of the market, the state, or the im- programs accordingly. Note pact of the West, with those who Perhaps as a complement, depart- * endorse area studies viewing those ments will also have to re-think their This article draws heavily on Robert H. who use rational choice theory as approach to evaluating junior per- Bates, "Area Studies and Political Science: and Possible To- being pro-market, anti-state, and sonnel. Unless fortunate enough to Rupture Synthesis," Africa day, Volume 44, No. 2 (1997), special issue on given to applying historically contin- be a native speaker of a foreign lan- "The Future of Regional Studies." I wish also gent categories in a universalistic guage or to possess an unusually to thank Timothy Cotton and Peter Hall, and manner. And it resonates with ear- strong mathematical background, the junior fellows of Harvard Academy, espe- lier battles over the qualitative and most junior faculty will not be able cially Daniel Posner, for their tough criti- quantitative, between numeracy and to consolidate both area and analytic cisms. I have failed to incorporate many of literacy, and between the humanities skills prior to facing the tenure hur- their suggestions, and therefore must assume complete responsibility of the defects that re- and the sciences. In other cultures, dle, much less to produce research main. well educated people are expected to demonstrating a confident command excel at both; strength in the one of both. In making promotion deci- need not imply weakness in the sions, then, rather than focusing other. But the division remains pow- purely on product, attention will erful within our own culture, particu- have to be placed on investment: If References larly among academics, where it lim- initially in command of research its and impedes. It reinforces the methodologies, have the young Bates, Robert H., Jean O'Barr, and V. S. Mu- 1993. and the foundations for the debate scholars used their initial years to dimbe, Africa Disciplines. present Chicago: University of Chicago Press. between area studies and the disci- learn the history of their area or its Bates, Robert H., Avner Greif, Margaret pline. languages? If emerging from an Levi, Jean-Laurent Rosenthal, and Barry Not being hard-wired, the division area-based program, have they taken Weingast. Forthcoming. Analytic Narra- between "the scientific" and "the themselves to the classrooms in the tives. humanistic" can be transcended. The statistics, economics, or mathematics Colson, Elizabeth. 1974. Tradition and Con- issue is not whether to use the left The deliberations re- tract. Chicago: Aldine. departments? John. 1991. and Inter- side of the brain rather than the tenure in Ferejohn, "Rationality garding comparative poli- pretation," in The Economic Approach to right. It is, rather, how to employ tics may therefore have to differ Politics, ed. Kristen Renwick Monroe. New both. The combination of local from those in other portions of the York: Harper Collins. knowledge and general modes of discipline. Questions such as these Geertz, Clifford. 1973. Interpretationof Cul- reasoning, of area studies and formal will have to be addressed and the tures. New York: Basic Books. theory, represents a highly promising answers given greater weight than in King, Gary, Robert Keohane, and Sydney of our field. The blend will other subfields. Verba, 1994. Designing Social Inquiry. margin Princeton: Princeton University Press. help to account for the power of In earlier decades, the Social Sci- forces that we know shape human ence Research Council gave mid- behavior, in ways that we have hith- career grants, enabling professors to erto been able to describe but not to return to the classroom. These About the Author explain. It is time to insist upon the grants virtually made possible the pursuit of both rather than upon the creation of "hybrid"fields, such as Robert Bates is Eaton Professor of the Sci- necessity of choosing sides. economic history. Historians trained ence of Government at Harvard University. as economists, and economists as Among his recent books is Africa and the Dis- historians. the creation of ciplines (Chicago, 1993), with Jean O'Barr and Clearly, V. Y. Mudimbe. Conclusion such an awards program would rep- resent a timely response to the To pursue this agenda, depart- present crisis. ments will have to accommodate the How will we know when reconcili- special needs of graduate training in ation has been achieved? One test

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