Possibilism and Evaluation

Sociologist Nicoletta Stame (PhD, State University of New York and Catania University) is emerita professor at Sapienza University of Roma, past president of the European Evaluation Society and Associazione Italiana di Valutazione, a member of the editorial board of Evaluation, and vice-president of A Colorni-Hirschman International Institute.

“This authoritative account by an eminent evaluation scholar reminds us why when confronting today’s evaluation challenges, we should never forget insights from past masters. Both Hirschman and Tendler combined practice and research in ways that cast a penetrating light on problems that remain critical for evaluators today. These include complexity, causality and above all how to engage stakeholders and citizens in evaluations that aim to remain true to democratic principles. An accessible and thought provoking read.”—Elliot Stern, FAcSS Emeritus Professor of Evaluation Research, Lancaster University

• Foreword – Introduction – Evaluation and development – Interpretive social science: The core of an anthology – Interpretive social science and morality – Hirschman, possibilism and evaluation – Hirschman’s production line on projects and programs – Possibilism, change and unintended consequences – Doubt, surprise and the ethical evaluator: Lessons from the work of Judith Tendler – Appendix A Albert Hirschman and the World Bank – Appendix B Remembering Judith – Bibliography – Index of Names – Index of Subjects.