Discovering the Possible

<p>Internationally recognized as a leading thinker in the fields of economic development and Latin American studies Albert O. Hirschman has more recently turned to the study of social science at large. His pioneering work has had reverberations in economics political science sociology and other disciplines affecting specialists and nonspecialists alike. In <em>Discovering the Possible</em> Luca Meldolesi recounts over half a century of Hirschman's work exploring the motivations methodology and unexpected developments of his research.</p><p>Tracing Hirschman's intellectual journey-from his European origins and education during the tormented 1930s to his escape to the US in 1941 from his extended stays in South America to his far-reaching research interests across three continents--Meldolesi identifies recurrent themes and shows how they fit together revealing a remarkable unity of inspiration. Focusing on Hirschman's major works such as <em>The Strategy of Economic Development Journeys toward Progress Exit Voice and Loyalty </em> and <em>The Passions and the Interests</em> as well as his lesser-known writings Meldolesi suggests that the flexibility of Hirschman's methodology together with the extraordinary range of his results contribute to his successful endeavor to reconcile research and commitment and to introduce readers to his dream of a social science for our grandchildren.</p><p>Published simultaneously in Italian Spanish and English <em>Discovering the Possible</em> is the first book to probe the whole corpus of Hirschman's work and to highlight the wealth of his ideas and the sharp self-irony with which his intuitions are forged into thoughts. The book will interest students and professionals in economics sociology political science and moral philosophy as well as those who focus on the development sector of these disciplines.</p>