From statistics to international quantification: a dialogue with Alain Desrosières

Abstract

This paper deals with the interaction between Alain Desrosières’ work and the evolution of the field of research devoted to quantification as a product of intergovernmental and supranational organisations (IGOs). We focus here on five dimensions: (i) the importance Alain attached to the practice of the production of statistics, which we both experienced in the field, and which gave rise to some fundamental questions/interrogations; (ii) the history of quantification, which enabled him to highlight the relationship between statistics and the various forms of the state, and encouraged attempts to compare and contrast the evolution of those forms to those of IGOs; (iii) the theoretical and epistemological dimension of his contributions, which encouraged others to take part in, and contribute their own hypotheses to, the debates that he led; (iv) the need for more detailed analysis of the institutional particularities of quantification (the importance of comparisons in the case of IGOs, for example); (v) and finally, Desrosières as practitioner of a veritable sociology of institutions and professionals, in which he took account of the actors who influence quantification processes. Through these five dimensions, the “sociology of IGOs quantification” bears witness to the development and the autonomy of studies of quantification, an area in which Alain Desrosières set very high standards.