Topic
Structure and agency
About: Structure and agency is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1265 publications have been published within this topic receiving 63660 citations.
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TL;DR: The sociolinguistic enterprise raises fundamental questions about the nature of the relationships between social phenomena (such as social class or gender) and linguistic variation, while within social theory a persistent concern is the relationship between structure and agency as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The sociolinguistic enterprise raises fundamental questions about the nature of the relationships between social phenomena (such as social class or gender) and linguistic variation, while within social theory a persistent concern is the nature of the relationship between structure and agency. Sociolinguistics can draw on social theory for analysis of the relationship between speaker and system, the role of language in the creation, maintenance and change of social institutions, and the role of human agency in sociolinguistic phenomena. This article summarises the key tenets of a sociological realism, based on the recent work of Margaret Archer (in particular her exploration of analytical dualism) and of Derek Layder (specifically his theory of 'social domains'). It relates these ideas to sociolinguistics, arguing that language can be seen to have a different significance, depending on which domain is the focus of the researcher's interest. The article considers the distinctiveness of this approach, contrasting it with structuralist and social constructionist accounts and with structuration. It concludes by identifying some methodological implications, suggesting that sociological realism offers a productive theoretical framework for sociolinguistics in dealing with questions of language, structure and agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
92 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue for a stratified social onto, arguing for the interplay of structure and agency in a hierarchical social network, which is the quintessential focus of sociological endeavours.
Abstract: Theorising the interplay of structure and agency is the quintessential focus of sociological endeavour. This paper aims to be part of that continuing endeavour, arguing for a stratified social onto...
91 citations
TL;DR: The reciprocal relationship between space and livelihoods is explored in this paper, where it is argued that historical and contemporary geographies shape particular livelihood trajectories and social networks for rural residents, thereby making an explicitly spatial analysis necessary for understanding the processes driving social and environmental change.
Abstract: The livelihood concept remains consistently utilised within a number of research fields, including development studies, political ecology and conservation. Although there are differences in theory and application, these fields draw upon livelihood frameworks to understand how political and economic structures impact decisionmaking and present opportunities for social actors. Several themes have emerged from livelihoods research, including the importance of institutional frameworks and examinations of the conflicts surrounding resource access. While these have been valuable contributions, there has been less attention directed to the reciprocal relationships between space and livelihood. This article draws upon insights from human geography to show how the production and reproduction of livelihoods are interlinked with the processes producing and reproducing space. In order to accomplish this, the article details research completed in South Africa that examines the diversified resources individuals and households combine to generate livelihoods. It is argued that historical and contemporary geographies shape particular livelihood trajectories and social networks for rural residents, thereby making an explicitly spatial analysis necessary for understanding the processes driving social and environmental change. This article asserts that spatialising livelihoods is critical for understanding multiple issues central to livelihood studies, including the significance of diversification, intra-community differentiation, the structure and agency of livelihoods, and the effects of decisionmaking upon social and environmental systems.
91 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1995
TL;DR: Eisenstadt as discussed by the authors explores the bases of human action and society, and traces the major developments of contemporary sociological theory and analysis, examining themes of trust and solidarity among immigrants, youth groups and generations in the forms of friendship, kinship, and patron-client relationships.
Abstract: This collection of 12 theoretical essays explore the bases of human action and society, and trace the major developments of contemporary sociological theory and analysis. Examining themes of trust and solidarity among immigrants, youth groups and generations, in the forms of friendship, kinship, and patron-client relationships, Eisenstadt explores larger questions of social structure and agency, conflict and change, and the reconstitution of the social order. He looks also at political and religious systems, paying attention to historical empires and the major civilizations. United by what they reveal about three major dimensions of social life - power, trust and meaning - these essays offer a perspective on the relations between culture and social structure.
90 citations
Book•
01 Jan 2013
TL;DR: The poststructuralist project as discussed by the authors has been used to deconstruct structure, agency, and affect in the context of political subjectivity, identity, interest, and political subjectsivity.
Abstract: 1. The Poststructuralist Project 2. Problematizing Poststructuralism 3. Ontological Bearings 4. Deconstructing Structure and Agency 5. Structure, Agency and Affect 6. Rethinking Power and Domination 7. Identity, Interests and Political Subjectivity
90 citations