Some Comments on Vincent's Critique of Social Field Theory

In his "Critique of Social Field Theory," Jack Vincent offers a number of comments on mathematical and operational interpretations of R. J. Rummel's Lewinian analysis of international relations. Vincent's treatment does not offer serious criticism, however. It neglects technical and major epistemological problems of field theory, and misconceives the significance of a number of issues which are addressed. In this essay we examine Vincent's conception of "infinite dimensionality," outline serious operational problems neglected in Vincent's criticism, and attempt to balance Vincent's generally enthusiastic advocacy of the general class of models encompassing both Rummel's and his own by noting substantive issues which must be faced by a macrosocial field theory of international relations.