Articles by Martyn Hammersley

November 19, 2021

🦋 Democracy: not just what but also why

Martyn Hammersley

Martyn Hammersley argues that, since there is no essence of democracy, clarification is always required when this word is used. And any assumption that what it refers to is always desirable must be questioned: in each context, we should ask ‘Why democracy?’ as well as ‘What is democracy?’

Martyn Hammersley

Emeritus Professor of Educational and Social Research, Open University

Martyn is a sociologist by training who has carried out research in the field of education and the study of the media.

However, much of his work has been concerned with the methodological issues surrounding social science.

The Concept of Culture: A History and Reappraisal
Palgrave Macmillan, 2019

Troubling Sociological Concepts: An Interrogation
Palgrave Macmillan, 2020

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Articles by Martyn Hammersley

🦋 Democracy: not just what but also why

The Loop

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