Kanttekeningen

Stand van het wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar sociale verdediging

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Abstract

A state-of-art report on civilian-based defence - The interest in alternative concepts of defence seems to be steadily on the rise. This is no less true for the idea of civilian-based defence. However, this growing interest has not been matched so far by any significant progress of our knowledge in this particular field of scientific investigation. For this reason, in the following article, an attempt is made at finding out to which factors this phenomenon of stagnation can be attributed. The main argument is essentially, that up till now too much attention has been paid to normative analysis and polemics. Coupled with the reality of a very restricted research capacity this has led to an almost complete neglect of proper scientific research. Indeed, in the existing literature one hardly finds any serious effort at theoretical articulation. One searches in vain for explicitly stated models, testable hypotheses, and elaborated research strategies. Little wonder, then, that thus far scientific progress has been lacking. It is argued therefore, that to bring about positive change in this respect in the future, a mere upgrading of the actual research capacity — as is so often advocated — will not suffice. In order to do that, much more work will have to be made of basic research.

How to Cite:

Geeraerts, G., (1988) “Stand van het wetenschappelijk onderzoek naar sociale verdediging”, Tijdschrift voor Sociale Wetenschappen 33(1), 66–87. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/tvsw.94974