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Making Things Possible

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  • Gabriel Abend

Abstract

I argue that what-makes-it-possible questions are a distinct and important kind of sociological research question. What is social phenomenon P made possible or enabled by? Results won’t be about P ’s causes and causal relationships, but about its enablers and enabling relationships. I examine the character of what-makes-it-possible questions and claims, how they can be empirically investigated, and what they’re good for. If I’m right, they provide a unique perspective on social phenomena, they show how the social world doesn’t come ready-made, and they open up new avenues for research.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriel Abend, 2022. "Making Things Possible," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 51(1), pages 68-107, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:51:y:2022:i:1:p:68-107
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124120926204
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. G. Hodgson, 2007. "What Are Institutions?," Voprosy Ekonomiki, NP Voprosy Ekonomiki, issue 8.
    2. Ragin, Charles C., 2000. "Fuzzy-Set Social Science," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226702773, April.
    3. Krause, Monika, 2014. "The Good Project," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226131221, April.
    4. Spillman, Lyn, 2012. "Solidarity in Strategy," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, number 9780226769561, April.
    5. repec:ucp:bkecon:9780226702766 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Searle, John R., 2005. "What is an institution?," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(1), pages 1-22, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Smith, Chris Q. & Williams, Iestyn & Leggett, Will, 2024. "A matter of (good) faith? Understanding the interplay of power and the moral agency of managers in healthcare service reconfiguration," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 342(C).

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