Explanatory pluralism in political science

Keith Dowding and Charles Miller
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Keith Dowding: Department of Politics and International Relations, College of Arts and Social Sciences, 2219Australian National University Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Charles Miller: Department of Politics and International Relations, College of Arts and Social Sciences, 2219Australian National University Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia

Journal of Theoretical Politics, 2026, vol. 38, issue 3, 159-176

Abstract: Most writers on political science methods seem to suggest that explanation means causal explanation. Certainly, many explanations in the political sciences are causal. However, natural science often provides non-causal explanations, while non-causal explanations are recognized by philosophers of science. Causal inference, in itself, is not a causal explanation; it explains alongside theory. In this paper, we defend explanatory pluralism, arguing that many important explanations in political science are not causal in nature. We identify two important types of non-causal explanation – constitutive explanation (CE) and explanation by constraint (EC) – providing examples from the political sciences literature. We conclude by outlining what we believe non-causal explanation can contribute to political science.

Keywords: causal explanation; causal inference; constitutive explanation; explanation; explanation by constraint (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jothpo:v:38:y:2026:i:3:p:159-176

DOI: 10.1177/09516298251403391

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