Possibilism and Evaluation: Judith Tendler and Albert Hirschman

Albert Hirschman and Judith Tendler's insights into thermal and hydropower, generation, and distribution have influenced each other's views, leading to a rich complexity of success and failure, efficiency, and incompetence. Hirschman's possibilism lies at the base of Tendler's practice of evaluation, enabling us to trace the outlines of possibilist evaluation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 154 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2022
Publisher: Peter Lang Publishing Inc

Albert Hirschman's profound insights into the distinct characteristics and consequences of thermal and hydropower, as well as the generation and distribution processes, played a crucial role in shaping my perspectives. In turn, Judith Tendler acknowledged Hirschman's influence, stating that he taught her to look in unexpected places for insights into a country's development. She further noted that Hirschman's work presented a rich tapestry of success and failure, efficiency alongside incompetence, and order coexisting with disorder.

This text serves as a reconstruction of the theoretical foundations of interpretive social science. It demonstrates how Hirschman's posibilism forms the core of the original approach Tendler adopted for evaluation. By examining the enduring vitality of their thought, we can trace the outlines of possibilist evaluation, a framework that continues to inspire and inform social science research.

Hirschman's insights into thermal and hydropower emphasized their diverse qualities and the complex interactions between different energy sources. He recognized the potential benefits and challenges associated with each type of power generation, such as the efficiency of thermal power plants versus the environmental impact of hydropower dams. Hirschman's analysis also shed light on the distribution of power, exploring how it can shape economic development, political institutions, and social inequalities.

In addition to his insights into energy, Hirschman's work on generation and distribution extended to other areas of social life. He examined the role of institutions in shaping economic outcomes, the dynamics of political competition, and the processes of social change. Hirschman's posibilist approach allowed him to embrace the complexity and unpredictability of social life, recognizing that multiple factors, both internal and external, could influence a country's development.

Judith Tendler's engagement with Hirschman's ideas further enriched her understanding of evaluation. She recognized the value of looking beyond traditional metrics and frameworks to capture the nuanced and complex nature of social phenomena. Tendler's work emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying assumptions and values that shape evaluations, as well as the potential biases and limitations of different approaches.

Through their intellectual exchange, Hirschman and Tendler demonstrated the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. They crossed boundaries between social science, economics, and other fields, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex challenges facing societies. Their work paved the way for new approaches to evaluation, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to explore unexpected sources of insight.

In conclusion, Albert Hirschman's insights into thermal and hydropower, as well as his broader examination of generation and distribution processes, played a pivotal role in shaping my perspectives. Judith Tendler's engagement with Hirschman's ideas further enriched her understanding of evaluation, highlighting the value of interdisciplinary collaboration and a nuanced approach to understanding social phenomena. The continuing vitality of their thought enables us to trace the outlines of possibilist evaluation, a framework that continues to inspire and inform social science research.

Weight: 314g
Dimension: 225 x 150 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781433198489
Edition number: New ed