The Politics of Social Science Research: ‘Race’, Ethnicity and Social Change

This book addresses some of the key questions facing contemporary social scientists. What is the point of our research? Who undertakes it? Does it have any impact on the social world it attempts to characterize: if so, what? It does so by focusing on international research on identity and inequality grounded in 'race' and ethnic difference. The contributors to the volume ask searching questions about the politics of research funding, the empowerment of minorities, and the prospects for meaningful change. Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Sociology, the State and Social Change: Theoretical Considerations....Pages 3-17 The Colour Line and Sociology....Pages 18-40 Front Matter....Pages 41-41 Whatever Tomorrow Brings: African-American Families and Government Social Policy....Pages 43-60 The Racialization of Social Scientific Research on South Africa....Pages 61-84 Independence, Incorporation and Policy Research: an Australian Case Study....Pages 85-106 Front Matter....Pages 107-107 ‘Race’ and Ethnicity Research in Britain: Key Ethical and Political Considerations....Pages 109-136 Research on Immigrant Ethnic Minorities in the Netherlands....Pages 137-159 Is There a Belgian School of Ethnic and Migration Studies?....Pages 160-176 Front Matter....Pages 177-177 Social Change and Sociological Research on the ‘Nation’ Issue in Yugoslavia....Pages 179-201 The State and Social Science Research in Russia....Pages 202-238 Back Matter....Pages 239-252 Britain is now permanently a multi-racial and multi-cultural society, with a race relations legislative framework. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the contribution made by this legislation to the development of British race relations This text presents a comparative analysis of residential, social, economic and political rights for aliens. It covers research on Japan as well as on the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America