Towards Relational Sociology (international Library Of Sociology)

Towards Relational Sociology argues that social worlds comprise networks of interaction and relations. Crossley asserts that relations are lived trajectories of iterated interaction, built up through a history of interaction, but also entailing anticipation of future interaction. In addition, he demonstrates how networks comprise multiple dyadic relations which are mutually transformed through their combination. On this conceptual basis he builds a relational foundation for sociology. Over the course of the book, three central sociological dichotomies are addressed - individualism/holism, structure/agency and micro/macro – and utilised as a foil against which to construct the case for relational sociology. Through this, Crossley is able to argue that neither individuals nor ‘wholes’ - in the traditional sociological sense - should take precedence in sociology. Rather sociologists should focus upon evolving and dynamic networks of interaction and relations. The book covers many of the key concepts and concerns of contemporary sociology, including identity, power, exchange and meaning. As such it is an invaluable reference tool for postgraduate students and researchers alike. Social Sciences Book Cover 1 Title 6 Copyright 7 Contents 10 Figures 11 Acknowledgements 12 1 Introduction 14 2 Individualism, holism and beyond 20 3 Mapping the territory 35 4 From strategy to empathy 59 5 Mind, meaning and intersubjectivity 84 6 I, me and the other 101 7 Exchange, sociability and power 116 8 Structure, agency and social worlds 137 9 Networks, conventions and resources: The structure(s) of social worlds 157 10 Big networks and small worlds: The micro–macro dichotomy 194 Notes 220 Bibliography 224 Index 233 The book argues for a properly 'relational' approach to sociology. It explores what such an enterprise would involve by unpacking and evaluating the key concepts in the relational 'toolbox' - interaction, relations, networks and power. It links more abstract and theoretical debates on the nature of relational thought to more concrete concerns of method and research practice. Nick Crossley argues for a properly 'relational' approach to sociology by unpacking & evaluating key concepts in the relational 'toolbox' - interaction, relations, networks and power - linking abstract & theoretical debates on the nature of relational thought to concrete concerns of method & research practice