Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences (In 4 Volumes)

This is a compendium of references to various subjects covered by the umbrella term ‘social sciences.’ The entries are listed and dealt with alphabetically over four volumes. The text is general and gives an idea of what the specific topic dealt with is about. The description is pithy as one can make it without sacrificing lucidity. We have deliberately used the word ‘umbrella’ to denote the widespread topics that have come to be included in the term ‘Social Sciences’. As you will discover, they range from economics, politics, law, sociology, management and business; through psychology, organisational behaviour, human geography to research and analysis methodology. We have also been forced to poach on the domains of philosophy and physics where there is an overlap of topicality. Today, hundreds of subjects can be legitimately listed under the term ‘Social Sciences’. To comment on all of them would be a near impossible task; and it would take a lot more than just four volumes to carry it out. Our aim has been to select those topics which have been of persistent interest and value over the ages right into the 20th and 21st centuries. Each topic begins with a general discussion, normally covering its origins, a brief history, its development over time, and a very brief round up of the support or criticism it has attracted. This is followed by an alphabetical list of references which will help start the reader on a literary search. Due to overlaps in subject matter, references have been repeated under topics which are different in scope but have common features. This Encyclopaedia is meant for the scholar, the academic, the researcher, the political scientist and the entrepreneur. It affords them a ready made path into the depths of their research subject. It is a fact that often more time is spent in tracing the references to a particular subject or topic than in actually using the material in the pursuit of the project or research being undertaken. Our aim has been to reduce the search time as much as possible.