Wendell Bell

Wendell Bell ( * 1924 in Chicago) is an American sociologist and futurist, which occupies a position as an outsider in his discipline with his cybernetic decisionistic model of social change.

Bell was a naval aviator during World War II. In 1952 he was at California State University, Los Angeles, to the Ph.D. doctorate. He then taught at several North American universities. Since 1963 he is (now emeritus ) professor of sociology at Yale University.

Bells work focused on the comparative sociology, he played a leading role in the African American Studies at Yale University, and at first also the urban sociology. He also dealt increasingly with the methodological foundations of the social science future research. How Many of the older generation of future researchers played with him the question a major role, whether it is in the future research to an art or a science is (Is Future Studies in Art or a Science? ). In the center of his argument stands that it constitutes a rational thinking in the future research. To that extent this is similar to scientific thought, though not identical with it. In the context of future research, he developed his cybernetic dezisionistisches model of social change. Then individuals cause individually or in groups and social change are also affected by it. Consequently, sociologists initiate with their scientific work social change. They could be considered in their professional capacity.

Writings (selection )

• The Sociology of the Future and the Future of Sociology, in: Sociological Perspectives Vol 39, No. 1, pp. 39-57
• Foundations of Futures Studies I: History, Purposes, Knowledge, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1997
• Foundations of Futures Studies II: Values, Objectivity and the Good Society, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1997