Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 04/2010

Complex, Historical, Self-reflexive: Expect the Unexpected!

Sandra Mitchell, Wolfgang Streeck

December 2009

Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies

Abstract

The object world of the social sciences is complex, historical and self-reflexive. It generates nonlinear effects, it is unique, and it is able to understand the theories developed about it and respond to them intentionally. Recognizing the emergent, historically contingent and self-organizing nature of the social world, and developing responsive policy vehicles for managing its complexity, requires a shift in our conception of science in general and of economics in particular.