Strategies of Causal Explanation in History

Abstract

This article identifies some strategies of causal explanation in history, more specifically, the typologies of six common explanatory strategies: “summary,” “description of causes,” “emerging causes,” “periodization,” the “hierarchical typology of causes,” and the “narrative of causes.” In working out the concept of explanation, I use some ideas put forward by a number of both western and Soviet theorists.¹ The study of history is here broadly understood as sociological or political interpretation. Most writings by K. Marx, F. Engels, and V. Lenin are taken in this sense. I concentrate my attention mostly on the analysis of explanatory strategies in these three Marxist authors.