Modern social science's essence lies in its purpose, articulated in the 19th century, to expound a meticulous, secular knowledge of reality that is somehow corroborated by empirical research. The challenge for researchers of course rests in how they define "empirical research." The driving methodological debate in the social sciences -- however abstruse or historically distant -- orients itself according to the divide between the advocates of the interpretive method and the proponents of positivism.
Hugo Chavez
A progressive dialogue: The renewal of the statist Left? The contradictions of Venezuela
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Over the past generation, progressives have witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union and the decline of neoliberalism. As in all periods of collapse, the smoke and fury of the falling debris has, to some degree, concealed the possibilities that produced, accompanied and emerged from the breakdown. The most exciting progressive alternatives to emerge have come from the resurgence of the left in Latin America. This resurgence is multi-faceted, encompassing social movements, civil society and states: exemplified by networks of indigenous movements, the World Social Forum process and the election of leftist political parties and leaders.
What Obama can learn from Chavez
Barack Obama is a reluctant people's president, but to become a great president and deliver on his promise of "fundamental change in Washington" he has to act like one.
To end the war in Iraq and win in Afghanistan, create jobs while reining in corporate excess, usher in a green economy, and reform health care, he has to fall back on his community activist roots. Simply put, Obama rise to the presidency has more in common with Bolivia's Evo Morales and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez than with that of George Bush.
Summit of the South: African and South American leaders meet
Creating a new Radio of the South, formalizing the Bank of the South, criticizing the make-up of the UN Security Council and supporting Honduran President Manuel Zelaya were among the outcomes at the second Africa-South American Summit (ASA) that was held this weekend on Margarita Island, Venezuela.
Heads of state from 61 countries, 49 from Africa and 12 from South America, participated in the summit, with the theme of "Closing gaps, opening up opportunities."
Radio of the South
Harper government isolated as opposition to coup in Honduras grows
At Saturday's special meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) minister for the Americas, Peter Kent, recommended that ousted President Manuel Zelaya delay his planned return to the country.
Kent said the “time is not right,” prompting Zelaya to respond dryly: “I could delay until January 27 [2010],” when his term ends. Kent added that it was important to take into account the context in which the military overthrew Zelaya, particularly whether he had violated the Constitution.