Introduction

Scientific research makes it possible to base predictions on its findings and conclusions. However, the social sciences in general and political science in particular are far from being exact sciences. It is therefore reasonable to expect that an investigator in these fields whose predictions come true will be quite pleased with himself. But there is a fly in the ointment. Those investigators studying the societies in which they live and whose values they have assimilated along with attendant emotional resonance face both a danger and frustration. The danger is that to mix values and feelings with scientific method makes it hard to achieve an objective and analytical approach to findings and data. The frustration is that dire predictions that come true hardly do one’s heart good.