The State and Social Investigation


Every time a law is passed in America it means that a particular understanding of a national problem has proven persuasive. And that, in turn, means that the research and conclusions of social scientists, activists, lobbyists, and commentators have been weighed in the balance. The contributions of scholars and others to our understanding of terms like poverty, unemployment, or literacy cannot be underestimated. Michael Lacey traces the reliance upon social science investigation in the making of laws.

Dialogue is a production of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in association with Radio Smithsonian. For a cassette copy of programs, listeners may call The Radio Store at 1-800-747-7444. You may also send your electronic mail comments to Denis Saulnier at WWCEM183@SIVM.SI.EDU

Rebroadcast of this program is made possible by the sponsors of the Internet Multicasting Service.