Agency and Agent

From Geography

Anthony Giddens' structuration theory contains the key terms agency and agent. The conception of Giddens' agency is a contrary to classical action theory (Max Weber). As in classical action theory agency is conceived of as a sequence of differenct actions, Giddens regards this as a flow of actions or a constant series shaping social life (Lippuner, Werlen, 2009). It's the capability to act, not just the actor and his personal choices, but a combination with structures in a specific situation, constituted through time and space. Agents are any social unit that is capable of making a difference and reproducing structures through his actions (H. Ernste, hoorcollege Giddens, Nijmegen, 18 september 2012).

References

Lippuner, R., Werlen, B. (2009) Stucturation Theory. Elsevier Ltd. p. 42

--AnneStrien 22:42, 19 September 2012 (CEST)