Variations sur l'homme et la société : les sciences sociales entre intégration nationale et critique sociale

René Gallissot, Variations on Man and Society : The Social Sciences between National Integration and Social Criticism Founded in 1966, L'Homme et la Société announced the final breaking-up of the discipline of sociology in May 1968 under the influence of structuralism, which led to the preeminence of anthropology within the social sciences. From this moment, micro- positivism and methodological individualism turned attention away from consideration of social relations. This process was completed by inter-disciplinary rivalries. Professionalization and the continuing process of specialization are related to the development of increasing governmental direction of social and cultural affairs. The social sciences are now called upon to reinforce national and social integration, and this role is relatively incompatible with social criticism. Should social scientists fear compromising themselves as they study the very relations which tie them to social institutions ? Have the social sciences become dependent upon or extensions of the State and the business community ?Gallissot René. Variations sur l'homme et la société : les sciences sociales entre intégration nationale et critique sociale. In: L'Homme et la société, N. 95-96, 1990. Mission et démission des sciences sociales. pp. 9-23