Economic inequality is one of the ever-present global issues that social scientists try to resolve. Hunt and Colander (2016) note that even in the US, more than 12% of the population lives in poverty (p. 234). I believe that social scientists currently lack the ability to solve the issue, at least in the short term. Some of the most efficient policies that can help alleviate poverty, such as progressive taxes, will always be opposed by the establishment. In the long term, social scientists could contribute to the solution of the problem by increasing public awareness and participation in politics.
Racial discrimination is another critical problem that plagues American society. I believe that social scientists play a pivotal role in destroying stereotypes that lead to racial bias and developing strategies to deal with inequalities. While some social policies, such as affirmative action programs, are not flawless, they have significantly contributed to alleviating racial disparities (Hunt and Colander, 2016). I believe that every generation is more tolerant than the previous one because of social scientists’ work. Therefore, the victory over discrimination is merely a question of time.
While social science plays a vital role in society, biased research represents a serious problem that can largely undermine scientists’ efforts. Carr (1939) states that in political science, “the purpose is not, as in the physical sciences, irrelevant to the investigation and separable from it: it is itself one of the facts” (p. 5). Overall, it is difficult to predict the future of social sciences, but I believe that the efficiency of political and economic scientists, in particular, will depend on the mindset of elected leaders.
References
Hunt, E. & Colander, D. (2016). Social science: An introduction to the study of society (15th ed.). Routledge.
Carr, E. H. (1939). The twenty years’ crisis 1919-1939: An introduction to the study of international relations. Harper & Row.