The Academy of Social Sciences: reflections on the first six years.

The author reviews the establishment of the Academy of the Learned Societies for the Social Sciences, from the personal perspective of one who was involved in the Academy and its precursor, the Association of Learned Societies in the Social Sciences. The reflections prompt consideration of the goal of establishing the Academy, and what distinctive features it should have. The paper concludes by reflecting on the distinctive nature of the social sciences, and the implications that this has for the task that confronts the new Academy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]