The first article by Hannu Ruonavaara discusses theoretically the dilemnsa of history and theory in sociohistorical research. ... The next two articles by Pekka Räsänen and Ralf Kauranen construct theoretical frameworks which are illustrated by empirical society. ... The fourth and fifth articles by Pekka Jokinen and Timo Toivonen present a more empirical approach. Jokinen examines Finnish evironmental policy.