Political Conflict: Essays in Political Sociology. by Morris JanowitzReview by: Sandor HalebskySocial Forces, Vol. 51, No. 2 (Dec., 1972), p. 248Published by: Oxford University PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2576358 .

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248 / SOCIAL FORCES / vol. 51, dec. 1972

Using a historical framework, he reports develop- ment of the scientific role for specific countries and in a particular century. In his papers, he has demonstrated that new forms of institutionaliza- tion occur at particular places and in particular times, but use of this historical framework also permits him to exercise his considerable scholar- ship without pedantry or excess.

The data on early scientific development are widely scattered and poorly interpreted; in using them, Ben-David demonstrates his mastery of pre- cise argument and empirical skill. He includes much of the data from his papers as well as a few crucial historical papers by other persons in an appendix which permits the comparison of argu- ment and data.

In addition to Greece, the book discusses seven- teenth-century England, eighteenth-century France, nineteenth-century Germany, and twentieth-century America as representing, respectively, the first institutionalization of science, its incorporation into governmental policy, its organization within the educational structure, and the present profes- sionalization of research. A seventeen-page con- clusion summarizes and considers the consistent themes of the argument.

On its own terms, the book is a masterful job. It does not cover the sociology of science but rather one small slice of it. The problem faced by every author of such a short introduction to an area, whether to take a surface skim or a deep slice of the pertinent area, is exemplified here. Usually I would not quibble with a historical ap- proach to an institution; there is little enough well-done history with a sociological direction that each piece should be cherished. But I do wonder if Prentice-Hall and Alex Inkeles, their series editor, made a good choice here. Science is a peculiarly modern institution. As Derek Price (1963) has pointed out, 90 percent of all the scientists who have ever lived are alive today. The present problems of science do have historical roots, but the recent complexities and new inter- actions are much more important. By presenting this work of Ben-David's as what the sociology of science is all about, Prentice-Hall has missed most of what is currently being done in the field.

Unfortunately, a companion piece, written on the contemporary scientist's role in society, has not been done. Such a book of the same quality with which Ben-David has invested his historical analysis, is needed for balance.

POLITICAL CONFLICT: ESSAYS IN POLITICAL

SOCIOLOGY. By Morris Janowitz. Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1970. 271 pp. Cloth, $8.95; paper, $2.95

Reviewer: SANDOR HALEBSKY, Syracuse Univer- sity

The present work assembles a series of essays produced over the last two decades. Impressive in

their scope, lucidity, and in their suggestive analyses, they will reward a reading both by the scholar and the informed layman.

The collection is organized into a number of major sections, The Institutional Framework, Social Structure and Political Affiliation, Macrosociology and Armed Conflict, Political Violence in Amer- ican Institutions, Methodological Dimensions, and Sociological Analysis and Policy. While this sug- gests a wide range of concerns, a number of major themes find expression. Janowitz stresses the in- stitutional influence and constraint on political behavior. Thus, the more usual attention to the interest group or class-determined behavior, es- pecially of political conflict, is modified though not displaced. His theme extends from the influence of political parties to an interpretation of the properties of racial violence as a function of societal control mechanisms, rather than the unique qualities or purposes of the individual actor or "riot" participant. Janowitz also brings to more traditional class-based interpretations of political conflict an awareness of the diverse and continuing sources of distinctive group formations, group interests, and hence, social strain and cleavage. His essays on the military-among the best in the volume-illustrate the broad scope of his orienta- tion. This is expressed in his treatment of the in- fluence of social structural properties, technological developments, and the organizational properties of the military profession itself on the character of role performance by the military and the nature of military-state relationships. In effect, Janowitz urges an interdependent multicausal analysis of political behavior and conflict in contrast to the frequent focus on the properties of the actor or his membership group. The last two closing essays effectively stress the value of the humanistic di- mension of social science research and theory, and exhibit a sensitivity to the limited range of purely social science knowledge.

In spite of its merits, however, Janowitz' volume suffers from a disadvantage frequent with collected essays-the lack of a consistent elaboration in depth of the author's major theoretical orienta- tions. Thus, for those familiar with the issues and problems raised by Janowitz the volume may occasion some disappointment that the presumably guiding themes suggested in the Preface and open- ing essay are not elaborated so as to enhance significantly our interpretation of political conflict. However, the quality and perceptiveness of the individual pieces will reward a reading.

HEALTH AND THE FAMILY: A MEDICAL-SOCIO-

LOGICAL ANALYSIS. Edited by Charles 0. Crawford. New York: Macmillan, 1971. 277

PP.

Reviewer: MARTIN D. HYMAN, Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York and Cornell Uni- versity Medical College

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