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Of Anthony Giddens
Submitted by:
Anshul Kukreja
BA LLB
Section-A
Roll No-11/13
IV Semester
INDEX
SNO.
1.
CONTENTS
PGNO.
Acknowledgements
1
2.
Anthony Giddens
2
3.
Theory of structuration
3-8
4.
Criticism
9
5.
Bibliography
10
Acknowledgements
I am highly indebted to my Professor who gave me such an interesting project and helped
me in whichever way possible to complete the project. I would also like to thank my
professor who took time from her busy schedule and helped in whichever way possible.
I owe my deepest sense of gratitude to my parents who influenced me and helped me to
complete this project.
I would also like to thank my sister and my friends who helped me in finding the references
to the project, in digitalizing and designing the project.
ANSHUL KUKREJA
Anthony Giddens:
Anthony Giddens, Baron Giddens (born 8 January 1938), is a
British sociologist who is known for his theory of structuration and
his holistic view of modern societies. He is considered to be one of
the most prominent modern sociologists, the author of at least 34
books, published in at least 29 languages, issuing on average more
than one book every year. In 2007, Giddens was listed as the fifth
most-referenced author of books in the humanities. Giddens is
considered to be one of the seedbeds of British sociology. Giddens is
cofounder of Polity Press (1985). From 1997 to 2003, he was director
of the London School of Economics and a member of the Advisory
Council of the Institute for Public Policy Research.
Three notable stages can be identified in his academic life. The first
one involved outlining a new vision of what sociology really is
presenting a theoretical and methodological understanding of that
field
His major publications of that era include Capitalism and Modern
Social Theory (1971) and The Class Structure of the Advanced
Societies (1973). In the second stage Giddens developed the theory
of structuration, an analysis of agency and structure, in which
primacy is granted to neither. The most recent stage
concerns modernity, globalization and politics, especially the impact
of modernity on social and personal life. 1 This stage is reflected by
his critique of post modernity, and discussions of a new "utopianrealist.
1
Structuration:
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, they are the
elements that recreate the social structure and produces social
change3.
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 Epistemology emphasizes the philosophical
2 Ibid
3 Craib, 1992 4 edition , pg.33
Types of Structure
In the stratification model of structure, Giddens attempts to
illustrate the links between the structure and the system of
interaction, Giddens identifies three kinds of structures in a social
system:
1. Signification- The first type of structure is signification which
produces meaning through organized webs of language
(semantic codes, interpretive schemes and discursive
practices). 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. In this respect Giddens is expanding the role of the
actor to be able to interpret and manipulate a structured
language by interpretive meanings.
5
8 ibid
9 ibid
Criticisms:
Though structuration theory has received critical expansion since its
origination,[ Giddens' concepts remained pivotal for later extension
of the theory, especially the duality of structure.
Rob Stones argued that many aspects of Gidden's original theory
had little place in its modern manifestation.
According to a set of sociologist Giddens conceptualization of
structure (rules and resources existing only in memory traces and
instanciated in action) is somewhat loose and abstract.
His theory has also been criticized on the point that by omitting the
consideration of gender from structuration theory he tells only half
the story
11 Giddens, Anthony. (1984)The Constitution of Society, Cambridge polity press Oxford. Pg 211
Bibliography
http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/319m606.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Giddens,_Baron_Giddens
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/763077/structurationtheory
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structuration_theory