Normativity is Not a Replacement for Theory

• In Event: 40461 - Section on Sociology of Law Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 4: Theory

Abstract

Social science research has been moving toward a greater embrace of normativity in substance and style. I argue that this move often comes at the expense of theory. Using studies of prisoner resistance and “carcerality” as examples, I demonstrate how scholars rely on catchy theoretical jargon to do the heavy lifting that theory should do. I close by discussing various factors that appear to enable and encourage these changes and relating the push toward normativity to the greater distrust of academic research in the recent American context.

Author

• Ashley T. Rubin, University of Hawaii at Manoa