Giddens' Theory of Structuration: A Critical Appreciation (International Library of Sociology)

Giddens' theory of structuration is now generally accepted as a very important development because it attempts to supersede the dualisms between structure and agency, structure and process and determinism and voluntarism. However, it is difficult for readers to come to terms with it. It draws upon a vast range of sources in sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, politics, geography, linguistics and other disciplines. Many of these sources are themselves difficult, some are not available in English, others are only available in flawed translations. It includes a large number of neologisms, and has been elaborated in a dauntingly large number of publications. This book will help teachers and students alike come to terms with structuration theory. It includes chapters on the basic features of structuration theory; Giddens' relation to American, French and German theorists; the significance of Giddens' critique of historical materialism; the use that structuration theory makes of concepts of time and space; and the model of applied social science which it supports.