Hidden Influences: How Carnegie Shaped Social Science in the 20th Century

Rhea Morgan in Politics & Policy June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the surprising role of the Carnegie Corporation in steering the direction of social science research and its lasting impact on policy and society."

The trajectory of social science in the 20th century was not solely determined by academic inquiry and intellectual fervor. Lurking beneath the surface of groundbreaking studies and influential theories was the often-unacknowledged hand of philanthropic organizations, chief among them the Carnegie Corporation. While their contributions may appear benign, a closer examination reveals a strategic effort to shape the direction and application of social science knowledge.

In 1954, a U.S. House of Representatives committee, known as the Reece Committee, raised concerns about the Social Science Research Council's (SSRC) independence, suggesting it acted at the behest of private foundations to exert control over academic life. Although the committee's claims were controversial and often dismissed as anti-communist rhetoric, they highlighted the complex relationship between philanthropic organizations and the social sciences.

This article delves into the intricate partnership between the Carnegie Corporation and the SSRC, revealing how Carnegie officers strategically used the SSRC as a vehicle to promote specific approaches within the social sciences. This relationship was designed to enhance the legitimacy and influence of social scientists in the eyes of policymakers and the public.

Carnegie's Quiet Revolution: Funding and Influence

Surreal illustration of a ghostly library representing the influence of the Carnegie Corporation on social science.

From the 1930s onward, the Carnegie Corporation played a pivotal role in shaping the SSRC's agenda. Internal memos reveal a calculated effort by Carnegie officers, particularly Charles Dollard, to steer the SSRC away from unproductive debates and towards more ambitious, policy-relevant research. This involved not only financial support but also active participation in defining research priorities and methodologies.

Dollard, who became president of the Carnegie Corporation in 1948, was instrumental in solidifying this partnership. His vision was to cultivate social science as a valuable tool for policymakers and the public, and he saw the SSRC as the perfect vehicle for achieving this goal. This vision led to a series of strategic interventions:

Publicizing Social Science: Carnegie encouraged the SSRC to actively promote the achievements of social scientists to combat misconceptions and enhance their public image.
Research Planning: The SSRC was urged to focus on long-term research projects with the potential to inform policy decisions.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Carnegie fostered collaborations between social scientists from different disciplines to address complex social problems.

One notable example of Carnegie's influence was its support for Stuart Chase's "The Proper Study of Mankind". Carnegie initiated and directed the book to popularize social science achievements. Though officially sponsored by SSRC, it was primarily steered by Carnegie. The book aimed to demonstrate the practical value and technical sophistication of social science to a broad audience, including policymakers and business leaders.

Echoes of Influence: The Legacy Today

While the Carnegie Corporation's direct influence on social science diminished with the rise of federal funding, its legacy remains. The strategic use of philanthropy to shape research agendas, promote specific methodologies, and enhance the public image of experts continues to be a factor in the academic landscape. As new foundations emerge and government funding priorities shift, understanding the historical dynamics of philanthropic influence is crucial for ensuring the independence and integrity of social science research.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2139/ssrn.2130807, Alternate LINK

Title: 'Propagandists For The Behavioral Sciences': The Partnership Between The Carnegie Corporation And Ssrc In The Mid-20Th Century

Journal: SSRN Electronic Journal

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Emily Hauptmann

Published: 2012-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What role did the Carnegie Corporation play in shaping social science during the 20th century?

The Carnegie Corporation significantly influenced social science throughout the 20th century by providing funding for key studies and shaping academic discourse. It strategically used the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) to promote specific approaches and enhance the legitimacy of social scientists in the eyes of policymakers and the public. The corporation's initiatives included publicizing social science achievements, focusing on long-term research projects, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Charles Dollard, a key figure within the Carnegie Corporation, played a crucial role in solidifying this partnership and directing the SSRC towards policy-relevant research.

How did the Carnegie Corporation's relationship with the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) function?

The Carnegie Corporation strategically partnered with the SSRC to shape the direction of social science research. Carnegie officers, such as Charles Dollard, actively participated in defining research priorities and methodologies within the SSRC. This partnership involved financial support, as well as the promotion of specific approaches and the enhancement of the public image of social scientists. The SSRC, supported by Carnegie, was used as a vehicle to steer the research agenda toward policy-relevant topics and to foster collaborations between different disciplines. The corporation also initiated projects like Stuart Chase's "The Proper Study of Mankind" to popularize social science achievements.

What were the key strategies employed by the Carnegie Corporation to influence social science?

The Carnegie Corporation employed several key strategies to shape social science. First, it provided financial support to the SSRC, which was used to fund specific research projects. Second, the corporation actively participated in defining research priorities and methodologies, ensuring that research aligned with its goals. Third, the Carnegie Corporation encouraged the SSRC to publicize the achievements of social scientists to combat misconceptions and enhance their public image. Fourth, it fostered collaborations between social scientists from different disciplines. Lastly, initiatives like the book "The Proper Study of Mankind" were undertaken to demonstrate the practical value of social science to a broad audience, including policymakers and business leaders.

What was the significance of Charles Dollard's role in the Carnegie Corporation's influence on social science?

Charles Dollard, who became president of the Carnegie Corporation in 1948, played a pivotal role in solidifying the corporation's influence on social science. He was instrumental in steering the SSRC away from unproductive debates and toward ambitious, policy-relevant research. Dollard's vision was to cultivate social science as a valuable tool for policymakers and the public, and he saw the SSRC as the perfect vehicle to achieve this goal. His leadership ensured the corporation's strategic interventions, including the promotion of social scientists, focus on long-term research, and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.

How has the Carnegie Corporation's influence on social science research continued to affect the field today?

Although the Carnegie Corporation's direct influence diminished with the rise of federal funding, its legacy continues to shape the academic landscape. The strategic use of philanthropy to shape research agendas, promote specific methodologies, and enhance the public image of experts persists. Understanding the historical dynamics of philanthropic influence is crucial for ensuring the independence and integrity of social science research. The historical context of the Carnegie Corporation's actions, particularly its partnership with the SSRC, offers insights into how external forces can shape the direction and priorities of research, a dynamic still relevant as new foundations emerge and government funding priorities shift.