Why are case studies the right methodology for sociology?

Theory must be made to fit and explain reality, not the other way around. Social science in the 20th century rushed into quantification, overusing statistical models to disguise conceptual confusion.

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Metrics such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Soviet Net Material Product (NMP) purport to reflect social reality to a degree that exceeds their theoretical validity.

These problems have only partially been acknowledged as in the recent replication crisis.

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Case studies provide a basis for constructing novel theory and datasets. They also provide the background against which existing theories of society can be checked.

If a theory fails to explain a certain set of events, it is likely incorrect, or at least incomplete.

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Most importantly, case studies are useful because it is impossible to run a scientific experiment on a societal scale.

Much as in the field of geology, in the analysis of society we must also rely on natural experiments to guide our pursuit of knowledge.

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This is why we used the case study methodology in Bismarck Analysis’ paper on the development of nuclear weapons, which you can read here:

bismarckanalysis.com/Nuclear_Weapon…

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This thread is part of a series on our case study. Check out the other threads in the quote-tweet.



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More from @SamoBurja

3 May
One RT, One Take on Chinese Civilization
There are many things our society could learn from China that don't necessarily imply adopting all its values.

Our unwillingness to do so ironically reflects how we're a much less 'free' society than we like to think.

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Xi Jinping isn't a great founder, while he is a live player and competent statesman, he isn't the individual who made or re-made China into what it is.

Further I don't yet think he has introduced any new social technologies to his society.

2/n
Read 16 tweets
1 May
As late as 1941, the United States’ nuclear weapons research program was practically non-existent.

Most important work was being carried out by independent scientists at universities, the small “Uranium Committee” notwithstanding.

1/n Image
The Uranium Committee had been formed thanks to the famous Einstein-Szilard letter, which warned FDR of the potential of nuclear weapons technology and, more importantly, the risks of the Germans developing the first atom bomb.

But the committee was basically inactive.

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Meanwhile in Britain, a group of scientists called the MAUD Committee were carrying out more productive research.

James Conant, the president of Harvard and second highest-ranking government research administrator, visited them in March 1941 to coordinate research.

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Read 13 tweets
30 Apr
Long before the first atom bombs were used in 1945, nuclear scientists tried to prevent a world where opposed military powers had nuclear weapons.

They failed. Why?

Read the newly-released case study by Bismarck Analysis here: bismarckanalysis.com/Nuclear_Weapon…
This case study is based on research conducted primarily in 2018 and which formed the basis for Zachary Lerangis’ recent article on the physicist Leo Szilard in @palladiummag, which you can read here:

palladiummag.com/2021/03/16/leo…
Bismarck Analysis occasionally makes select analytical products available to the general public. This is the second case study we have released.

The first case study, on machine tools and advanced manufacturing, was released in 2020. You can read it here bismarckanalysis.com/Machine_Tools_…
Read 7 tweets
17 Apr
Great maps. They give a guide to the revealed preferences of social fabric of various cities. Further they make a good proxy for when a country industrialized. The more recent the industrialization, the more skyscrapers.
At least in Germany and the Netherlands, the absence of skyscrapers is policy. After WW2 as devastated cities were rebuilt there were fears of an Americanization of the continent.
In Central Europe skyscrapers were never built, but arguably despite careful reconstruction, Americanization happened.

Today outlying villages and small towns are slowly evolving into car reliant suburbs. A phenomena seen in Eastern Europe as well!
Read 5 tweets
10 Apr
After a bad breakup, I remember quipping to a friend who asked what I had learned from the experience: "Insecure attachment."
It was interesting to try and work through that over the years. It got better, but only after two years of frankly erratic behavior. I was hurting badly.
Ultimately I think I came out stronger. I appreciate the maturity, but not how I got there. I jokingly compared it to a different friend to learning to meditate in a full body cast. You might think meditation is useful, but no you aren't grateful to the truck.
Read 4 tweets
24 Mar
Every civilization is driven by a core stack of social technologies. When this social tech fails, so does the civilization.

The Industrial Revolution is the current core of our society. And it is failing.

My new article in @palladiummag. Read here:
palladiummag.com/2021/03/24/the…


Contemporary Western societies are often described as “post-industrial”, as if we have progressed past the need for factories and assembly lines

We liberally borrow the name of the Industrial Revolution & apply it to ourselves in a sort of stolen valor
Factories are obsolete signs of backwardness; yet we lament China’s rise, built upon those same factories.

These contradictory attitudes reveal our idea of “post-industrial” society to be more wish fulfillment than impartial reality.
Read 7 tweets

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