Realist social theory : the morphogenetic approach
TL;DR: The Morphogenetic Cycle: the basis of the morphogenetic approach 7. Structural and cultural conditioning 8. The morphogenesis of agency 9. Social elaboration.
Abstract: Building on her seminal contribution to social theory in Culture and Agency, in this 1995 book Margaret Archer develops her morphogenetic approach, applying it to the problem of structure and agency. Since structure and agency constitute different levels of stratified social reality, each possesses distinctive emergent properties which are real and causally efficacious but irreducible to one another. The problem, therefore, is shown to be how to link the two rather than conflate them, as has been common theoretical practice. Realist Social Theory: The Morphogenetic Approach not only rejects methodological individualism and holism, but argues that the debate between them has been replaced by a new one, between elisionary theorising and emergentist theories based on a realist ontology of the social world. The morphogenetic approach is the sociological complement of transcendental realism, and together they provide a basis for non-conflationary theorizing which is also of direct utility to the practising social analyst.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that food availability decline and food entitlement decline can be reconciled within a single framework by outlining the causal sources of FAD, FED and FRI.
Abstract: Food entitlement decline (FED) and food availability decline (FAD) are two approaches to explaining famines that have different policy implications. One focuses on the systemic level, whereas the other is concerned with the individual level. They therefore analyse relatively distinct causal mechanisms. Thus, an important question is whether these approaches can be reconciled. Another related question is how FAD- and FED-based explanations relate to classical Malthusian views about rapid food requirement increase (FRI). This paper analyses these questions and argues that these three approaches can indeed be reconciled within a single framework by outlining the causal sources of FAD, FED and FRI. This task requires, among other things, the separation of ontological categories and empirical measures. As a consequence of this argument, the paper suggests that there are only seven possible ontological combinations of how a famine situation can arise as a direct cause. Simultaneously, it maintains that there are virtually an infinite number of ways in which these combinations may act as indirect causes (rooted in economic, political and social conditions). The analysis is exemplified by the Bengal famine of 1943 because that famine is a well-known case. The wider research and policy applicability of this general account are discussed but have yet to be tested in relation to other scarcity cases (water, land, fish). This synthesis is made possible by the incorporation of critical realist interventions into economic theory.
18 citations
TL;DR: Tania Cassidy as mentioned in this paper used Giddens' Structuration theory to explain why messages of change are not received and enacted and why it is problematical to change taken-for-granted practices that exist in sports coaching communities.
Abstract: INTRODUCTION Tania Cassidy’s article illustrates the difficulties that coaches may experience in reflecting in order to change their coaching practice. It also provides thought-provoking theoretical and methodological implications for how researchers and drivers of change, such as governing bodies, attempt to understand and advise changes in social endeavours, such as coaching behaviour. Cassidy accomplishes this through using Giddens’ Structuration theory [1] to help explain why messages of change are not received and enacted and why it is problematical to try to change taken-for-granted practices that exist in sports coaching communities. A strength of Cassidy’s article is how she describes the limited use of rational arguments when attempting to change coaching practice through reflection. The coaching research literature is very much dominated by rational thinking and often paints a very simplistic picture of the coaching process. Yet, Cassidy correctly reminds us that such arguments only go so far if they fail to acknowledge how coaches arrived at their decisions and thus subsequent actions. Coaches are being expected to take up, understand and utilise an increasingly complex, variety of knowledges [2]. Yet, despite the growth in the number of coach education programmes, coaches still cite coaching experience as the greatest source of professional development [3]. Nevertheless, it is widely acknowledged that experience is not solely sufficient for learning [4]. Instead, reflection is vital to experiential learning [5]. Rational arguments as how to change coaching practice through reflection conceive this process as straightforward. However, Cassidy argues that such arguments do not consider or do not give full value to the everyday practices in which coaches engage. This is her rationale for using Giddens’ Structuration theory [1], for the explanatory power of practical consciousness. With this in mind, I will begin my commentary with an outline of the limits of rational arguments in explaining the change process. This will be followed by a critique of Cassidy’s use of Giddens’ Structuration theory [1] within a sports coaching context.
18 citations
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors assess what this might mean and seek to identify factors that could explain the widespread acceptance of this view and elaborate an account of social reality that allows me to identify the nature of social stability and thereby of the kinds of factors that might work to undermine it.
Abstract: Various commentators express the view that society is accelerating in some manner. In this chapter I assess what this might mean and seek to identify factors that could explain the widespread acceptance of this view. In the course of so doing I elaborate an account of social reality that allows me to identify the nature of social stability and thereby of the kinds of factors that might work to undermine it. In particular I examine the nature of recent developments in technology and of their take up in capitalist development. Conclusions are drawn as to whether society is indeed accelerating in some way, and speculations offered as to the sort of society for which ongoing developments could lay a basis.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a critical realism can provide additional theoretical reinforcement as it demands a focus on relatively enduring patterns of behavior in children's agency, which can be seen as a form of reinforcement.
Abstract: Recent theorising of children’s agency has focused on relational approaches. Critical realism can provide additional theoretical reinforcement as it demands a focus on relatively enduring patterns ...
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a case study of boundary dispute that developed into violent conflict between two communities in Benin City was presented, which revealed that at the root of the conflict were material and emotional needs of groups seeking power and wealth which resulted in diverse claims.
18 citations