Realism and Social Theory ― Structure and Agency Revisited

The failure of social philosophers to make sense of an object of knowledge that embodies real divisions and polarities has generated a fundamental problem of social theory: the fallacy of reductive-conflationary analytical and explanatory models in sociological research. This book seeks to define the problem of sociology as one of developing appropriate theoretical and methodological tools for describing and analysing a multi-faceted social reality.

Through an extensive critical review of the major traditions of social theory from the perspective of social realism, this book develops the argument that social theory to date has been hamstrung by its resort to conflationary-reductive analytical modes. Part I presents a realist critique of the traditional rivals of holism and individualism while Part II offers a realist critique of the major paradigms of sociological elisionism. In Part III the author builds on these critiques by exploring how the ontology of social realism can sustain a robust social theory that resolves the traditional dilemmas and antinomies.

Deploying this social realism as a tool of explanatory critique of influential sociological theories of contemporary society, such as risk, liquid modernity, reflexive modernity, and postmodernity, this book is essential reading for students and scholars of critical theory, critical realism, philosophy and sociology.

Sean Creaven is Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology at the University of the West of England, UK.