The Inevitability and Promise of Historical Sociology

ABSTRACT

As sociologists, we engage in history whether or not we see ourselves, professionally, as historical sociologists. These remarks discuss the varieties of ways sociologists use and approach historical scholarship, including history-as-context, analytic comparative/historical sociology, and interpretive approaches. I also reflect on the first fifty years of Midwest Sociological Society to show that, at different moments, the MSS mirrored, propelled, or lagged behind societal change.

KEYWORDS:

• Historical sociology
• methods
• midwest sociological society

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Alinsky railed against “Hypocritical attempts of outsiders to uplift people of slum districts.” He said, that “slum residents are not Gold Coast guinea pigs, performing in an arbitrary program imposed upon them without consulting their desires.” “Hits Hypocrisy in Slum Work,” Des Moines Tribune April 16, 1937, 17.

2. “Defends Right to Hold Jobs,” Des Moines Tribune April 16, 1937, 7.

3. “Foresees Society of Aged Persons,” Des Moines Register April 21, 1939, 5.

4. “For Solution of Social Ills,” Des Moines Register April 22, 1939, 3.

5. “1,000 to Attend 3 Parleys Here,” Des Moines Register April 14, 1940, 16.

6. “Being Alert in War Stressed,” Des Moines Register April 18, 1942, 5.

7. “Calls Trials A Factor for Another War,” Des Moines Register May 6, 1946, 5.

8. “Gillin and Ross to Be Honored by Sociological Society,” Wisconsin State Journal April 26, 1949, 8.

9. “Three-Fifths of Rural Youth Leave Home Communities,” The Gazette(Cedar Rapids, IA) March 23 1952, 19; “W.U. Instructor to Preside at Meeting of Sociological Unit,” Wichita Eagle April 23 1953.

10. “Sociologists Told to Face Crime Threat,” Nebraska State Journal April 22, 1950, 7; “Self-Tattoos Latest Delinquency Symbol,” Lincoln Star April 18, 1959, 3.

11. “Importance of Home Life Stressed by Sociologist,” Wichita Eagle May 8, 1953, 31.

12. “Says State Fell for Most ‘Blatant of Demagogs,’” The Capital Times (Madison, WI) April 16, 1954, 4.

13. Hunter, John, “Says Fear, Intimidation Behind Wave of Conformity,” The Capital Times (Madison, WI) April 17, 1954, 3.

14. “Publicity Influences Juries, Group Hears,” Wisconsin State Journal April 17, 1954, 1.

15. “Sociologists Meeting Here,” Des Moines Tribune April 13, 1962, 9.

16. “Sociologists Says Medicare May Force Changes in Medical Profession,” Capital Times (Madison, WI) April 21, 1966, 29; “Far Rightist, Dope Addict, Act Similarly,” Anderson Herald (Anderson IN), April 24, 1966, 26; Program Book “30^th Annual Meeting: Midwest Sociological Society,” April 21–23, 1966, Hotel Loraine, Madison, Wisconsin.

17. “Sociologists Won’t Meet in Chicago,” Arizona Daily Star, Oct. 3, 1968, 3.

18. “Poor Here Criticize Sociologists,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch April 18, 1970, 1.

19. “Poor Here Criticize Sociologists,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch April 18, 1970, 7.

20. “Swapping ‘Swingers’ Called Escapists,” Kansas City Times April 22, 1972, 9.

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Brian Donovan

Brian Donovan is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Kansas. Donovan’s research focuses on gender, law, and popular culture. Donovan’s most recent book American Gold Digger: Money, Marriage, and the Law from the Ziegfeld Follies to Anna Nicole Smith (UNC Press 2020) examines the cultural impact of the “gold digger” stereotype in American law and society. He is currently researching and writing a book about the Taylor Swift fandom.