Sociometry in democracy

Abstract

This article has as its starting point on an early sociometric practice which was based on ideas of democracy and a theatrical cultural practice in the United States in the 1930s. By combining a re-reading of the sources on this early instance of sociometry with an interview with a practitioner of applied sociometry, the author makes an analysis of how sociometric applications are relevant in democratic practice today. In the analysis, a distinction is made between “cold” and “living” sociometry. Through references to different forms of play, and the improvisation theatre ‘Das Stegreiftheater’, the author shows the relationship between sociometry and drama and theatre and to the application of theatricality in democratic practice.