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_Please note that most of the the sources linked are tertiary sources (handbooks and encyclopaedias), and should be used to find useful sources rather than as the main sources in literature reviews and theses._ _Summaries provided by Monika Barget (History), based on the sources cited._
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_Please note that most of the the sources linked are tertiary sources (handbooks and encyclopaedias), and should be used to find useful sources rather than as the main sources in literature reviews and theses._
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_Summaries provided by Monika Barget (History), based on the sources cited._
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<details>
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<summary>
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### First theory from BA DS list
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### Why we need theories & concepts
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</summary>
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A bachelor's thesis is longer and more complex than any other essay you have written so far. While most papers you write for BA DS courses are essentially extended literature reviews (in which you discuss existing publications), the thesis requires you to gather your own sources or data and to conduct an independent analysis. Therefore, your thesis needs to have several additional elements.
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Even though scientific expertise is important for policymaking, it is difficult to translate directly into policy. [LINK NAME](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-161?rskey=OZsiNq&result=2) is the done by **'BOLD'** that <b>bridge</b> the gap between science and politics (for example, the IPCC in climate change). Studies using this concept examine how such organisations translate scientific evidence into different policy solutions and co-create policy, and the difficulties they face when trying to balance scientific credibility and policy usefulness.
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One of them is a **conceptual or theoretical (sometimes also called "analytical") framework** to explain why you are analyzing sources or data (e.g. interviews or survey responses) in a certain way, and this "point of view" has to be rooted in **concepts** (abstract ideas relevant to a certain field of research) or a proper theory. A **theory** is a more elaborate scientific framework (often developed & refined by more than one person) that explains patterns and developments. Ideally, a theory is applicable to different case studies and helps you phrase a hypothesis about how society works. Theories also help researchers streamline and focus their analysis.
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Our 3rd-year students often struggle with the conceptual or theoretical framework and are sometimes not aware of what concepts and theories have actively been addressed throughout the BA DS programme. This is why this section, with theories and concepts covered in various courses, may help you to remember and find a suitable approach for your thesis.
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</details>
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<details>
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<summary>
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### Collective action problem
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### Agency
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</summary>
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The [collective action problem](https://www.britannica.com/topic/collective-action-problem-1917157) is used to study organisations and social movements. It refers to the difficulties in engaging in collective action in a group or organisation. Individuals share common goals, but also individual interests; if people think that the collective action will take place without their participation, they may try to free-ride.
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**Agency** theories comprise different definitions and concepts depending on subject areas. In the social sciences, _agency_ is defined as the capacity of individuals to actively and independently choose and engage. Therefore, agency theories are linked with (political) participation and power theories.
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\[_Summary by Monika Barget_\]
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</details>
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<details>
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<summary>
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### Constructivism
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### Automation
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</summary>
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Emerging as a challenge to realism and liberalism, [constructivism ](https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199743292/obo-9780199743292-0061.xml)focuses on how the meaning of reality is constructed. Constructivist approaches often focus on the role of norms, identity and ideas in international relations (see e.g. 'norm diffusion' below).
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The impact of **automation** (e.g. the reduction of human intervention in industrial production or data processing) was a central theme of the BA DS course "Artificial Society". Automation was, for instance, discussed concerning the future of labour markets. The course also offered an introduction to the **critique of automation**.
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\[_Summary by Monika Barget_\]
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</details>
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<details>
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<summary>
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### Deliberative democracy
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### Critical Making (see design thinking in methods)
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</summary>
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Scholars of [deliberative democracy ](https://www.britannica.com/topic/deliberative-democracy)see democracy as stemming from deliberations and discussions between citizens, with citizens arriving at political decisions through a reasoned debate of different viewpoints on an issue. Deliberative democratic approaches focus on the quality of the process of reaching a decision, rather than the outcome.
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**Critical making** is linked with **design thinking / maker cultures** (see methods). Critical making is a theoretical approach that promotes hands-on activities to link digital technologies with societal needs. It combines creative, physical, and conceptual exploration.
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In the BA DS programme, critical making and design thinking were taught in the "Maker Cultures" course.
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\[_Summary by Monika Barget_\]
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</details>
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<details>
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<summary>
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### Democratisation
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### Critical Theory (Frankfurt School)
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</summary>
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Democratisation is the process by which a country becomes a democracy. Approaches focusing on democratisation work to define what 'democracy' and 'democratisation' means and look at elements that lead to democratisation, for instance the [role of political parties](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-1974?rskey=nO8JQJ&result=2) in forging democracy. Other studies focus on democratisation in terms of external action, for example explaining the (lack of) success of the EU in [promoting democracy in its neighbourhood](https://www-tandfonline-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1080/13510340802575809?casa_token=4BQ7GLSC65YAAAAA%3Al2bkZfcp4hhS02woEHghJq0bN-ULEXABUjoA71IP0sMOBkEczrQEZDz5wR9A731ytbjE5TOhuM3czf8).
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Critical Theory (as proposed by the Frankfurt School) is a Marxist-inspired movement in social and political philosophy. It was originally associated with the work of researchers based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Critical Theory in this narrow sense developed over several historical phases and generations since the late 1920s. Important scholars of the Frankfurt School were Horkheimer, Adorno, Marcuse and Habermas. Jürgen Habermas's idea of the public sphere was covered in the BA DS course "Digitalisation and Politics" but also mentioned in the BA DS course "Controversies"/"Critical Debates". We also looked at recent criticism and re-interpretations (see reading on the "[online anti-public sphere](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1367549420902799)" by Marc Davis).
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\[_Summary by Monika Barget_\]
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</details>
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| ... | ... | @@ -468,7 +487,7 @@ Urbanisation and [urban politics](https://www-sciencedirect-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/ |
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</summary>
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[Varieties of capitalism](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-161?rskey=OZsiNq&result=2) is an approach within comparative political economy that provides a typology of macroeconomic systems. The main distinction made is between 'liberal market economies' (where coordination occurs mostly through the market) and 'coordinated market economies' (where formal institutions play a more important role).
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[Varieties of capitalism](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-161?rskey=OZsiNq&result=2) is an approach within comparative political economy that provides a typology of macroeconomic systems. The main distinction made is between 'liberal market economies' (where coordination occurs mostly through the market) and 'coordinated market economies' (where formal institutions play a more important role).
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</details>
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| ... | ... | @@ -490,7 +509,7 @@ Venue-shopping focuses on how actors select which venue or forum is the most fav |
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</summary>
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In the study of crises and policy problems, [wicked problems](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-213?rskey=wDTuVq&result=1) are particularly socially complex and contested problems that are defined differently by different actors, and cannot be solved through rational planning and management alone. There are [various definitions](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-130?rskey=wDTuVq&result=2#acrefore-9780190228637-e-130-div1-5) of wicked problems; the concept concept is used to explain difficulties in creating policy responses to certain issues, and why some solutions are more accepted than others.
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In the study of crises and policy problems, [wicked problems](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-213?rskey=wDTuVq&result=1) are particularly socially complex and contested problems that are defined differently by different actors, and cannot be solved through rational planning and management alone. There are [various definitions](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-130?rskey=wDTuVq&result=2#acrefore-9780190228637-e-130-div1-5) of wicked problems; the concept concept is used to explain difficulties in creating policy responses to certain issues, and why some solutions are more accepted than others.
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</details>
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| ... | ... | @@ -503,5 +522,5 @@ In the study of crises and policy problems, [wicked problems](https://oxfordre-c |
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[World systems theory](https://oxfordre-com.mu.idm.oclc.org/politics/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228637.001.0001/acrefore-9780190228637-e-349?rskey=JLxZeq&result=2#acrefore-9780190228637-e-349-div1-3) is a way to see the world where countries are classified according to their economic relationships and classes, divided into 'Core', 'Semi-Periphery' and 'Periphery' countries. It highlights the role of globalisation in connecting countries economically, and in enforcing power imbalances between the different types of countries.
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</details>
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