Social Science History

Carpenter, Daniel P., 1967-
Commentary: What Is the Marginal Value of Analytic Narratives ?
Social Science History - Volume 24, Number 4, Winter 2000, pp. 653-667

Duke University Press

Daniel Carpenter - Commentary: What Is the Marginal Value of Analytic Narratives ? - Social Science History 24:4 Social Science History 24.4 (2000) 653-667 Commentary What Is the Marginal Value of Analytic Narratives? Daniel Carpenter As a political institution that regulated international markets, the ICO [International Coffee Organization] was very rare indeed; few other bodies have effectively governed the behavior of states in the global arena. As with other rare occurrences, the history of the ICO can be described; it possessed a birth, a life and a death. In analyzing this case, I have sought to move beyond mere narration. I have sought to extract systematic knowledge. --Robert Bates, "The International Coffee Organization," chapter 5 of Analytic Narratives, 228 The case studies in this volume are motivated by a desire to account for particular events and outcomes. For those committed to the close analysis of particular events, the chapters seek to demonstrate the benefits to be gained from the systematic use of theory. For those committed to the development and use of theory, we seek to demonstrate the returns to be reaped from a close dialogue with case materials. The phrase analytic narratives captures our conviction that theory linked to data is more powerful than either data or theory alone. Introduction to Analytic Narratives,3 The epigraphs offer a window into a bold new project in social science history. The authors of Analytic Narratives...