Search

Abstract: This paper offers reasons in favor of more closely integrating normative political theory and qualitative field work. First, the use of qualitative data and participant observation can give insight into the actual moral arguments and moral motivations of those who are "living" some answer to a significant question in political theory. Second, it can greatly improve the theorist's understanding of related empirical issues-especially important if the theory argument has or could have specific policy implications. Third, and possibly the most important, qualitative data, in particular narrative illustrations of principles from the lived experiences of actual persons, can provide for a more compelling and ultimately much more persuasive argument. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]