Overview

Russell Hardin (1937-2021) was a well-respected political theorist and political scientist, known for his work on concepts related to trust, cooperation, and collective action. 

Hardin's career in academia spanned several decades, during which he held professorial positions at the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and New York University. His work was characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from fields like political science, economics, philosophy, and sociology.

A few key milestones and works in Hardin's career include:

• "Collective Action" (1982): In this book, Hardin explored the challenges and mechanisms of group action, specifically focusing on how individuals' self-interest could undermine collective goals. This work is considered foundational in the field of social sciences.

• "One for All: The Logic of Group Conflict" (1995): Here, Hardin examined the dynamics of group conflict and how self-interest can fuel divisiveness within and between groups.

• "Trust and Trustworthiness" (2002): This is perhaps one of Hardin's most well-known works, where he developed his theory of trust as encapsulated interest. He argued that we trust others not because they're inherently trustworthy, but because it's in their self-interest to behave in ways that benefit us.

• "Indeterminacy and Society" (2003): In this work, Hardin tackled the idea of indeterminacy in social life, arguing that much of what we perceive as social structure is actually the result of individual actions and decisions.

Throughout his career, Hardin made significant contributions to our understanding of how societies function, specifically in relation to trust, collective action, and the role of self-interest in social dynamics.

Indeterminacy and Society

"Indeterminacy and Society" (2003) is a seminal work by Russell Hardin, where he delves into the complexities and inherent unpredictability of social life. Hardin makes a compelling case that societal structures, which often seem orderly and predictable, are in fact largely shaped by the unpredictable and sometimes random actions and decisions of individuals.

One of the core arguments Hardin makes is against social theories that try to simplify or make broad predictions about human behavior. He argues that these theories often fail to acknowledge the inherent unpredictability and randomness of individual actions.

For instance, consider the world of politics. While political systems and institutions provide structure and order, individual decisions of politicians or voters can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes. An unforeseen scandal, a charismatic new candidate, or a sudden shift in public opinion can dramatically change the political landscape, demonstrating the indeterminacy Hardin discusses.

Similarly, in the field of economics, the market is influenced by countless decisions made by individuals each day. An unexpected surge in demand for a particular product, a sudden decision by a major corporation, or an unanticipated technological breakthrough can all have significant, unpredictable effects on the economy.

In the legal realm, Hardin points out that individual interpretations of the law by judges and juries can result in diverse and sometimes unexpected outcomes, further illustrating the inherent indeterminacy in social life.

Hardin's "Indeterminacy and Society" underscores the need for social theories to account for the inherent complexity, randomness, and unpredictability in human society, which stems largely from the actions and decisions of individuals. It is a profound contribution to the field of social theory, especially for those interested in understanding the interplay between individual agency and broader social structures.