Decentering Tradition

Abstract

This article argues that the study of traditions is an integral part of the human sciences; it then concentrates on how to study traditions. First, the authors outline a pragmatic approach to traditions. Next, they illustrate the case by analyzing three features of British government: public sector reform, Thatcherism, and joined-up governance. The authors seek to show that it is possible to decenter the idea of tradition and analyze traditions at several levels. Finally, they discuss the problems posed when analyzing traditions at different levels of generality, including reifying traditions, essentialism, identifying traditions, and creating traditions.