Structure according to Giddens

From Geography

Within structuration theory the concept of structure as determined by traditional structural theory changes. According to Giddens structure is not a group or institution, neither is it a pattern or system of interaction. In a way structure is hidden, invisible. Giddens states that “structure exists as knowledge about how things are to be done, said or written. Social praxis is based on this knowledge and the actualization of it.”(Lippuner, 2009). In other words; structure only exist if we act accordingly, it is a medium for our actions. In Giddens' view there are two important aspects to structure; rules and resources.

Rules

Rules are a normative structure according to which the procedures of action in social situations are interpreted. According to Giddens they are mostly part of the practical consciousness which allows agents to use them on a daily basis in determining their actions.

Resources

Resources in structuration theory are the collection of actions that an actor can perform to influence or transform his surroundings. In other words it can be defined as ‘power over people and materials’ (Lippuner, 2009). Giddens calls this transformative capacity, which comes in two types; authorization and allocation.

Authoritative resources (power over people) are those that define the capability to control the social world. The dominant authoritative resource is the power to organise.

Allocative resources (power over materials) constitute the power to control the distribution and use of material objects.

Structural properties Arising from the practical reproduction of structures (rules & resources), Giddens sees social systems as systematic social relations. This is why social systems contain moments of structure, that is, institutionalized aspects of social practice that stretch in space and time. Giddens regards societies as social totalities which can be contrasted to other system relations. In this way we can study the reproduction of societal realities on different scales in space and time. Structural properties of social systems can be identified: structures of signification (semantic rules), structures of authority/domination (resources), and structures of legitimation (moral rules). Respective institutions can monitor these structures, they also are responsible for the production of rules of interpretation and sanction (Lippuner, R., p. 44).

References

• Lippuner, R. & Werlen, B. (2009) Structuration Theory. In: International Encyclopedia for Human Geography. Elsevier.

Contributors

• Page published by Robbert Wilmink --RobbertWilmink - 09:40, 6 October 2011 (UTC)

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