The interlinkage between sociology and politics in monographic research in interwar Romania

Abstract

The close relationship that prevailed between the two World Wars between the Romanian intellectuals and the political power, combined with the departure of social scientists from the principle of axiological neutrality, represented, during the reference period, a fact of life at european level and not in the least just accidents for Gustian monographers. During the period under review, the Romanian (and european) intellectuals seemed fascinated with the illusion of power. The political engagement of the Gustian monographers was a widespread phenomenon during the interwar and postwar periods. Being aware of the fact that field sociological research, no matter how scientifically robust, had but a limited spread and an immaterial impact on the population, the Gustian monographers ended up believing that the political activism of university students remained the only solution for the evolution of Romania. In this regard, sociology was perceived and understood as a science of the Romanian nation, and was used for the benefit of the state apparatus.