ABSTRACT
If we simply look at what has been proposed as ‘social theory’ then it is clear that we confront no single ‘object’ or ‘project’; rather we find, to borrow an over-worked metaphor from Wittgenstein, a fam ily of activities. Social theorizing comprises a diversity of pur suits. This ‘insight’ is easily gleaned from the history of social theorizing: it is a view that is also readily generated by reviewing the post-war career of development studies. There is, as far as I can see now, no reason to, or intellectual profit to be gained from attempt ing to, squash this diversity into a single mould. Contrariwise, and contra the libertarian rejoicers, there is no reason to suppose that we cannot order this diversity.
