Study Questions for Dryzek

  1. How does the author define progress in science in general?
  2. Can political science be considered rational and progressive?
  3. What is the difference between “global,” “internal,” and “lateral” progress?
  4. How does the author apply Kuhn’s conception of progress in political science?
  5. How does the author apply Lakatos and Laudan’s conceptions of progress? How do they differ from Kuhn?
  6. How does the author apply Lakatos’ and Laudan’s conceptions of programs and traditions? How do they apply to political science?
  7. What are the two kinds of problems in natural science according to Laudan and as noted by the author? How do they apply to political science?
  8. What are the problems that the author identifies that are important differences in natural and social sciences?
  9. Can social scientists define empirical problems in the same way natural scientists do? Why or why not?
  10. What does the author mean by “internal” and “external” empirical problems? How does he apply this to political science?
  11. How are empirical problems in political science socially determined? What examples are included to show this? Are they convincing?
  12. What is the relationship between social forces and internal progress?
  13. What are the three ways in which global progress in political science becomes an illusion?
  14. How can political science degenerate or die? What are the examples that Dryzek uses to show this point? Is he convincing? Why or why not?
  15. What are the realities of progress? Why are they considered realities? What is the author trying to show by including these realities?
  16. Is adherence to a sole program detrimental to the progress of political science in general? Why or why not?
  17. Can a person be totally devout to a single tradition and still be considered as progressive?
  18. How is progress determined in political science according to Dryzek? What is his prediction of the future of progress in political science?

Things to look for/keep in mind for future readings:

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