Before Theory Comes Theorizing, or, How to Make Social Science More Interesting

Abstract

Sociology and social science more generally are severely hampered by a lack of attention being paid to theory, but this current scenario does not have to remain unchanged. Swedberg writes a positive message and hints at the leaps that social science might take if the field engages more with questions of theory. He points students and practitioners to the works of Everett C. Hughes, C. Wright Mills, and others, as thinkers on the forefront of making this shift. Swedberg argues that a push toward theory not only redress the current problem of balance between theory and methods, but it will also make sociology and social science more interesting.