Theory Beyond Structure and Agency
Introducing the Metric/Nonmetric Distinction
- 292 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The book introduces innovative concepts of metric and nonmetric forms to address the structure and agency dilemma in sociological theory. Nonmetric forms represent social groups that categorize individuals as insiders or outsiders, while metric forms reflect dynamic zones, like traffic jams, where individuals flow in and out. By linking agency to nonmetric forms and structure to the accumulation of metric forms, it reframes the perceived contradiction between the two as an optical illusion, offering a fresh perspective on group identity and membership.
