Topic
Relational sociology
About: Relational sociology is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 215 publications have been published within this topic receiving 6927 citations. The topic is also known as: Structural interactionism.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: Niklas Luhmann's theory of social systems as mentioned in this paper is a theory that redefines social systems as ongoing, dynamic, self-organizing processes and aligns very well with the project or idea of a relational sociology.
Abstract: Niklas Luhmann never self-identified as a relational sociologist. His is a theory of social systems. Some relational sociologists tend to assume that the concept of system can only be deterministic; others in the field have nonetheless taken an interest of Luhmann’s theory. Luhmann brings in numerous concepts—autopoiesis, functional differentiation, operational closure, environment, complexity, self-reference, communication and re-entry—that redefine social systems as ongoing, dynamic, self-organizing processes. As a result, his theory aligns very well with the project or idea of a relational sociology. To defend this claim, the chapter presents an overview of Luhmann’s systems theory. Next it sets up different criteria for defining what relational sociology is or could be, and it evaluates Luhmann’s theory in light of these criteria. Lastly, the chapter discusses the works of four relational sociologists who have already engaged Luhmann’s ideas: Stephan Fuchs, Harrison White, Jan Fuhse and Pierpaolo Donati.
6 citations
01 Jan 2013
TL;DR: In this paper, the relevance of relational individualism, generalized and concrete other and Gilligan's "different voice" to Crossley's relational sociology is discussed, and their relevance to relational sociology has been highlighted.
Abstract: Feminists have critiqued many of the dichotomies in Western thought such as nature and culture, mind and body, emotion and reason, public and private, and developed critiques of central notions such as individualism and abstract generalization. In this chapter, Nancy Chodorow’s relational individualism, Benhabib’s generalized and concrete other and Gilligan’s “different voice” are discussed, and their relevance to Crossley’s relational sociology is highlighted.
6 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: The Critical Realist Relational Sociology (CRRS) as discussed by the authors is an original version of relational sociology, developed beginning in 1983, which is also called relational theory of society.
Abstract: This chapter presents an original version of relational sociology (critical realist relational sociology, or CRRS), developed beginning in 1983, which is also called ‘relational theory of society’. It shares with the other relational sociologies the idea of avoiding both methodological individualism and holism. The main differences lie in the way social relations are defined, the kind of reality that is attributed to them, how they configure social formations, and the ways in which they are generated (emergence) and changed (morphogenesis). In particular, this approach is suitable to understanding how the morphogenesis of society comes about through social relations, which are the connectors that mediate between agency and social structure. The generative mechanisms that feed social change reside in the dynamics of the networks of social relations that alter the social molecule constituting structures already in place. The scope of CRRS is threefold. Theoretically, it can orient social research toward unseen and/or immaterial realities. Empirically, it can show how new social forms are created, changed, or destroyed depending on different processes of valorization or devalorization of social relations. Finally, it can help to design and implement social policies and welfare services based on networking interventions.
6 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: The unpredictability of associations is directly connected with the heterogeneity of the associated elements and the associations themselves, and consequently, they lead to inequality between constituted associations, in other words, to asymmetries.
Abstract: With his concept of association, Bruno Latour founds his symmetry principle in a relativistic and pluralist sociological conception of society as networked actors. Social reality is a mixture of heterogeneous humans and non-humans, and their associations lead to a collectivity. The unpredictability of associations is directly connected with the heterogeneity of the associated elements and the associations themselves. Associations are not necessarily planned, even if the actors/actants act strategically. Because associations are unforeseeable, new combinations of associations can occur at any time unexpectedly; and consequently, they lead to inequality between constituted associations, in other words, to asymmetries. Associations are at the heart of the networks that represent society as a relational and movable reality.
5 citations
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: Critical realism is not exactly a form of relational sociology if only because it is more an underlying philosophy than sociology specifically as discussed by the authors, but it does take a relational approach to social phenomena, but as its name implies it also tends to be more realist than much relational sociology and more affirmative of substances, structures, and humanism.
Abstract: This chapter situates critical realism (CR) vis-a-vis relational sociology. CR is not exactly a form of relational sociology if only because it is more an underlying philosophy than sociology specifically. The chapter goes on to talk about what is common to and different about CR in relation to relational sociology. Born of progressive and even Marxian sources, CR definitely takes a relational approach to social phenomena, but as its name implies it also tends to be more realist than much relational sociology and more affirmative of substances, structures, and humanism than many forms of relational sociology. The chapter also presents a rather sharp defense of these positions against the counterpositions more associated with relational sociology.
5 citations