ABSTRACT
Two kinds of problems plague social science: empirical research methodology, and meta theoretical biases or presuppositions in the study of society. Research methodology is mainly static, can deal with few variables, is linear, nonsystemic, with data often unavailable or unverifiably subjective. A systems orientation usually implies a methodology based on dynamics (time series), nonlinearity, and a substantial number of variables. This implies a need to develop computerized simulation models rather than attempt to use the mathematical techniques of the physical sciences (which also cannot handle very well dynamic nonlinear systems with many variables). Metatheoretical presuppositions base much theory on a simplistic and/ or naive understanding of issues in the philosophy of science and theory construction; it uses inappropriate analogies such as that between society and organism or between society and the commer-
cial marketplace; or a misplaced attack on a defunct "positivism" as a disguise for a growing disenchantment with science and an attempt to turn back to older untried and undeveloped philosophical speculations such as phenomenology or hermeneutics or utilitarianism; much theory is based on a widespread assumption of a rationalist model of behavior (as compared to, e.g., normative and collective behavior models), or behavioristic assumptions denying any important causal role for internal mental states, or overly subjectivistic or individualistic views that leave out the role of social and cultural structures in shaping and constraining individual actions and interactions (as in the simplistic "free enterprise" and "free market" assumptions of old and new economic theory).
