Postmodernism as a social science methodology: Comments on Haugerud's representation of Kenya

Abstract

The social scientist in Africa is presently inundated by a number of methodologies. Some of these methodologies are based on modernist theories such as: modernization, underdevelopment and dependency and the articulation of modes of production. Sometimes these modernist methodologies have emphasized empiricism that is based on either quantitative or qualitative data; at other times they have insisted on the use of theory. Over the last two decades or so an alternative methodology, namely postmodernism, has emerged to jostle with modernist methodologies for preference in usage. This paper defines this methodology and traces its origins and spread in Africa. It further outlines its forms then comments its usage by Angelique Haugerud in her book, The Culture of Politics in Modern Kenya (Haugerud, 1995). It is hoped that this paper will contribute more fruitfully to the debate on postmodernism than has resulted from other debates that are not based on analyses about the use of this methodology.