Structure and Agency

Structure and Agency is a collection of classic and contemporary readings on this central sociological theme. Readings from Marx, Weber and Durkheim are included as well as recent pieces by authorities including Margaret Archer, Pierre Bourdieu and Stuart Hall. These four volumes cover respectively the seminal sources of the structure/agency debate and the ‘cultural turn’; critical theory, Giddens’ structuration theory, and critical realism; the application of theory to specific areas of social life; network theory and globalization; and a conclusion covering current theoretical trends and debates. The editor’s introduction provides a parallel historical and theoretical commentary to the readings.