Conflicting theories of violence both fit the data because events have multiple causes

Evidence

It also goes without saying that studies by the theorists themselves fit whatever tack they choose—though sometimes in an eyebrow-raising way. Gurr, for instance, consistently does get good statistical results. But so does Tilly, when he confronts his models with data (which he does less well than Gurr). This is hardly surprising, since their models must come together at some point of explanation of concrete events, which, as stated, do nearly always have both contingent and inherent causes. — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 4312

Categorization

• XREF: A textbook case of underdetermination — rival models each get good fits on the same events because real events have both contingent and inherent causes. Echoes the Milgrom/SocialCapital chapters’ point that competing institutional models can both statistically fit. — connects to: Frantz’s atrocities are simultaneously explainable by psychological and socioeconomic models — Fredric Jameson, Marxism and Form, 434; Civil war and terror are causally heterogeneous across regimes, defying single theories — Charles Tilly, Regimes and Repertoires, 789