STRUCTURATION

Book Details

• Author: John Parker

• Brand: Rawat Publications

• Binding: Hardcover

• ISBN: 9788131610565

• Release Date: 01-12-2021

About the Book

Structuration is an essential concept in the field of social sciences, and this book serves as an accessible guide to understanding the key debates surrounding this idea. It introduces the central discussion of how social reality is produced by human agents within pre-existing structural contexts, focusing on the relationship between structure and agency. Social theorists have long been divided on how these two concepts are related. Some, like Bourdieu and Giddens, uphold the idea of duality, while others, such as Archer and Mouzelis, argue for dualism, defending non-identity between structure and agency.

John Parker explores these contrasting views and presents a critique of Giddens' structuration theory, which he argues is now outdated. The book emphasizes the positive contributions of post-structurationist theorists, especially Archer and Mouzelis, who advocate for a dualistic approach. Parker provides a detailed examination of how these ideas can be applied to real-world historical cases, shedding light on the production and transformation of social structures, including institutions, cultural traditions, patterns of regular behavior, and power dynamics.

This book is not only a theoretical exploration but also a practical guide for students and researchers in the social sciences. It helps to clarify the debates surrounding structuration theory and its implications for understanding social life and societal change.

Contents:

• Part One: Contexts

  • Introduction

  • The Structurationist Imagination and the Making of History

  • Recovering Human Agency

• Part Two: The ‘Structurations’

  • Bourdieu: Structuration through Power

  • Giddens: Structuration through Knowledgeable Persons

• Part Three: Beyond the Structurations: Back to Reality

  • Archer: ‘Structuration’ and the Defence of ‘Analytical Dualism’

  • Mouzelis: The Restructuring of ‘Structuration’ Theory

  • The Recovery of History and Structure

  • Structuration and Historical Sociology

This clear and concise work will be invaluable for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of structuration theory and its application across social science disciplines.