Date: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 22:43:50 +0000
Subject: Re: discussion group


> What *I* am doing right now is trying to get a handle on Bourdieu versus
> Giddens on the structure v agency thing ... They "smell" different to me
> (different starting points - B in the insufficiency of structural theory to
> adequately describe actual practices, G in individual coping strategies to
> manage psychological needs), but I am having a difficult time pinpointing
> the positions. If anyone has anything to say on the topic I would like to
> hear it.

I'd suggest trying Archer's Culture and Agency or Realist Social Theory.
She nails the problem with Giddens quite nicely.
In her terms, Giddens is a central conflationist (he mashes together structure
and agency into a messy goo ... my words, not hers).
I'd say, in her terms, Bourdieu is a downwards conflationist - he ultimately
reduces agency to structure.

(If that doesn't kick something off, nothing will!! ..... lol)

With best wishes,

Karl

Karl Maton
School of Education, University of Cambridge

Correspondence address:  108 Avenue Road Extension, Leicester  LE2 3EH,
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