Generators of sociological production in Portugal: an empirically illustrated interpretation

Abstract

After a half century of history, sociological investigation in Portugal has entered a phase of advanced institutionalisation that is complete and with all the characteristics of an increasingly internationalised scientific field. The generators of sociological production – 'socio-cultural generator' and 'socio-political generator' – which consist of specific combinations of protagonists, themes and styles of sociology – have contributed to this process of institutionalisation that has been consolidated during the past two decades. These two generators are not responsible for all sociological output in Portugal, but they are responsible for the greater and more influential part. This article, then, provides a characterisation and comparative analysis of these generators, including the reciprocal citation patterns employed by their researchers.