Is there a specific methodology/philosophy that Historians use when analyzing why certain events in history happened the way they did? Due to my own political beliefs I follow Dialectical Materialism which is what we use to say why x event happened the way it did and can be used to explain the fall of feudalism and the rise of capitalism, certain trends within recent history like the rise of fascism and socialism, etc. If historians aren't using this as their "lens" of viewing the world and using it as an explanation of why things happen the way they do then what are they using?
I don't want to discourage other answers, but I think this thread may be in the neighborhood of what you are looking for. Provided, of course, that I've understood your question correctly. Basically, the thread goes into some detail regarding Great Man Theory, Trends and Forces, and how historians going about writing history.