Structuration theory - Essay Example

Structuration Theory Anthony Giddens explained 14089 Academia Research SociologyMarch 25 2008 Structuration Theory: Anthony Giddens explained Abstract: Anthony Giddens creator of the Structuration Theory explains in his theory, in response to the structural theories, the human structure is believed to be completely free to create their own environment. To explain the unique relationships that human agency seems to have with the institutions or structure as others dit a comparency is needed. In our societies so far many sociologist like Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber played a significant roll in their studies. They where able to formulate most influential theories in their times, where the Human element took various positions in each theory. Weber's primary focus was based on the subjective meaning that the human actor, in their mutual orientations like the social historical context, attached their actor to it. Weber used four types of social action, goal-oriented rational action, value-oriented, emotional and affective motivations and last the traditional action. Rational chosen according to Weber who believed the goal and means are chosen by the actor. The four actions are used by Weber because they serve his theory, it permits him to use systematic typological distinctions (authority) and gives a basis for his investigation of the course of the Western historical development. Anthony Giddens thought that the delicate relationship between structure and agency in a society where in the macro and micro perspectives respectively. Politician Tony Blair has used his theory frequently among many other believers. The use of the theory was to explain and understand the complexities which developed in cities. His earlier work contrasted the theory of the encompassing social world. In those theory the roll of the human was either the agent, solely based on volunteerism or where human action was based on unconstrained social structure. Giddens opposed to both object. They dit not obtain a proper attention to the actors agent and structure themselves. The frame of the human thought, where he based his theory on, was the opposite. If a human would act knowledgeable they where able to change their social realities and environment they live in. With the environment being more urban the theory gives assistance to policy maker and human geographers alike to understand the needs of the current and future generations better. The cities role is crucial since the population increases rapidly. The city provides economics, employment and healthy lifestyle for citizen. But as it grows, we cannot lose sight of the consequences of the rapid immigration to urban areas. The basis of the theory of Structuration involves the identification of the relationship between the individuals and the social forces that act upon us. In Giddens' theory of Structuration he tries to balance the role that actors play with their limited choice of position in history and in the social fabric they find themselves. In his theory, Giddens proposes that people do not have entire preference of their actions and their knowledge is restricted, nonetheless, are the element that recreates the social structure and produces social change (Craib, 1992, pg.33). Structuration, as with any theoretical issue, is suggested to have two significant philosophical components; Ontology and Epistemology. Ontology is the theory that suggests the existence of some phenomenon and the second, Epistemology, emphasises the philosophical theory of knowledge; exploring a definition for a phenomenon, recognising both its sources and establishing its limits (Cloke, 1991, pg. 95). Giddens himself is more interested in proving the duality between structure and agency the creating definitions of what exactly is the cause of its existence. As Giddens recommends structures like traditions, institutions, moral codes etc are steady universally. Though it could be changed by the unintentional consequences of actions. Think for example what would happen if humans do not pay attention to social norms, think of them in a another way or substitute them. Giddens identifies three kinds of structures in a social system, those of signification, legitimisation and domination. In the stratification model of structure Giddens attempts to illustrate the links between the structure and the system of interaction ( Jacobs, 1993). This is significant as first type of structure because it produces the meaning through organised web and languages. Drawing on the speech example referenced above, the interaction of agents through speech "can be structured because particular interpretations of reality can be signified in our language beyond the simple meaning of mere words and thoughts" (Cloke, 1991, pg. 103). Here explains Giddens the actor role in where to be able to interpret and manipulate the role structured language in interpretative meanings. Legitimisation in this stratification model, produces a moral order in naturalisation of the social norms with its standards and values. The basic human acts and resulting activities can be seen as the two defining capabilities of what Gidden's terms the 'Agency'. Giddens distinguishes between acts as a separate progression of action and action as a continuous flow of involvement's by different and autonomous human agents (Cloke, 1991, pg. 99). Giddens identifies that action could be stimulated by the individual who wants to investigate what he/she doing; the self examination process is referred to as reflexive monitoring (Giddens, 1984, pg. 5). Action or the ability to act by the agency is always interacting with power. Structuration theory suggests that the agency is the fundamental element to create any sort of change. Change can be thought of as simple as movement through space to interact with a new environment, thereof changing interaction or as complex as voting to pass a piece of legislature that will create new laws, changing the routine of society. Through the decision to act, either consciously or not, creates changes within the agency and to the structure that one has influence on (Mestrovic, 1998, pg.182). The main point of convergence between Giddens' theory and human geography would be the emphasis that Giddens gives to the knowledgeable human agency and their freedom in time and space. Humans are constantly in action in one sense or another; be it through monitoring of one's own or other's action, developing an understanding for such action or choosing their own course of action. Yet, as Giddens points out, day-to-day activities are not directly motivated but through reflective monitoring the individual can rationalise their actions (Giddens, 1984, p. 6). According to Giddens rational thoughts base the humans in their routines. Relevance of separation in routines and motivations are found in the capabilities of humans and the unconscious results of their actions. The idea of consequences of action is well outlined in Giddens own words: The consequences of what actors do, intentionally or unintentionally, are events which would not have happened if that actor had behaved differently, but which are not within the scope of the agent's power to have brought about (regardless of what the agent's intentions are).(Giddens, 1984, pg.11) Giddens explains us that the current status of affairs in the world is in control by the actors who influence them and not only restrict the structure. It can be found in many different institutions all over. The Structuration theory from Giddens is influential in giving the notion of understanding the actors behaviour as routine. It has influenced the structure of society, introduced ideas of the time and space geography. Giddens stresses that "the concept of reutilization...is vital to the theory of Structuration (Giddens, 1984, pg. 60)." Separation of people through space is fundamental to sociological and geographical frames of thought. In each, the socio-spatial patterning of human development is the key to understanding complex situations involving labour relations, housing selection, as well as, understanding demographic patterning. Giddens defines Space is not an empty dimension along which social groupings become structured, but has to be considered in terms of its involvement in the constitution of the systems of interactions (Giddens, 1984, pg. 396). Thanks to Giddens a lot is changing in the way of thinking Globally and one should acknowledge that he contributed a lot to our society today. Bibliography: 1. Cloke, P., Philo, Ch. & Sadler, D. (1991) Chapter 4. Structuration Theory: Anthony Giddens and the Bringing Together of Structure and Agency. 2. Craib, Ian (1992) Anthony Giddens, Routledge a division of Routledge, Chapman and Hall Inc. 1 3. Giddens, Anthony (1984) Constitution of Society, Cambridge polity press Oxford. 2 3 4. Held, David, Thompson, John, (1989) Social theory of modern societies Anthony 4 Giddens and his critics, Cambridge University Press, 1989 5 5. Mestrovic Stjepan G., (1998) Anthony Giddens the last modernist, Routledge 6 London, 1998 2 Read More