History and Sociology Complementary Methods

Sociologists show growing interest in history and historical methods. Historical sociology is quite a new and vivid discipline, which is based on complementary methods of sociology and history. Besides, the authoress tries to show that in research strategies and interests of sociologists, who are not explicit historical sociologists, there is a tendency to use historical methods and explanations. In recent years, analyses of the Polish systemic change become more historical with more references to the past. Polish transformation is seen as an element in context of Western modernization and globalization. It is a mix of Western development model with elements typical to a periphery of capitalist world system and specific local characteristics. Polish sociologists gradually recognize the role of unique, contingent, historical versions of universal processes in explaining contemporary Poland. This interest, though is still small and of minor importance, shall grow in the future, as it may contribute to better understanding of Polish society and its problems.