American Academy of Political and Social Science

About the author

The American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS) is a scholarly society founded in 1889 with the goal of fostering rigorous research and informed public debate on a wide range of social, economic, and political issues. Located in Philadelphia, the Academy has historically served as a focal point where academics, policymakers, and practitioners can converge to share insights, shape policy innovations, and evaluate pressing social concerns. One of its hallmark activities involves convening annual and special meetings where members present findings and proposals. The resulting addresses and subsequent publications frequently appear in volumes aimed at both experts and the educated lay audience—like the addresses compiled under Social Legislation and Social Activity (presented during the sixth annual meeting).

In Social Legislation and Social Activity, the Academy showcased the perspectives of diverse experts grappling with the social ramifications of the Progressive Era’s breakneck industrial expansion. The speakers, often well-versed in emerging academic disciplines like sociology, economics, or public administration, tackled issues including labor rights, child welfare, public health, and housing reform. By blending quantitative data analysis and humanistic insights, these contributors offered a multifaceted look at how policies could evolve to address poverty, urban blight, and the concentration of corporate power. The Academy’s approach—encouraging robust debate backed by empirical studies—distinguished it from organizations that pushed purely ideological or philanthropic angles.

A key objective for the AAPSS from the beginning was bridging the gap between theoretical research and practical policymaking. Officials and reformers, drawn by the promise of scholarly rigor, found that the Academy’s annual conferences provided a stage to learn about successful strategies in other jurisdictions and to refine legislative proposals accordingly. Moreover, by fostering interdisciplinary conversations, the AAPSS contributed to the era’s sense of an emerging “social science” capable of diagnosing societal ills systematically. This methodology resonated with the broader Progressive mindset, which emphasized rational administration, professionalization, and a belief that society’s challenges could be ameliorated through enlightened governance and deliberate planning.

Over time, the Academy further broadened its scope, addressing international relations, criminology, race relations, and more. Through its flagship publication, The Annals, it continued to disseminate cutting-edge research, policy recommendations, and comparative studies from around the world. Today, the AAPSS remains a trusted platform, lauded for maintaining a nonpartisan stance that seeks clarity and practicality over partisan rhetoric. The addresses delivered under the banner of Social Legislation and Social Activity thus stand as an early testament to the Academy’s enduring mission: ensuring that complex social issues are met with data-driven solutions and constructive dialogue, forging a path for well-informed public policy anchored in scholarly excellence.