Social Mechanisms An Analytical Approach to Social Theory [Hardcover]

These essays, written by prominent social scientists, advance criticisms of current trends in social theory and suggest alternative approaches.The mechanism approach calls attention to an intermediary level of analysis, in-between pure description and story-telling, on the one hand, and grand theorizing and universal social laws, on the other. These essays, written by prominent social scientists, advance criticisms of current trends in social theory and suggest alternative approaches. For social theory to be of use for the working social scientists, it must attain a high level of precision and provide a toolbox from which middle range theories can be constructed.The mechanism approach calls attention to an intermediary level of analysis, in-between pure description and story-telling, on the one hand, and grand theorizing and universal social laws, on the other. These essays, written by prominent social scientists, advance criticisms of current trends in social theory and suggest alternative approaches. For social theory to be of use for the working social scientists, it must attain a high level of precision and provide a toolbox from which middle range theories can be constructed.The mechanism approach calls attention to an intermediary level of analysis, in between pure description and story-telling, on the one hand, and grand theorizing and universal social laws, on the other. These essays, written by prominent social scientists, advance criticisms of current trends in social theory and suggest alternative approaches. For social theory to be of use for the working social scientist, it must attain a high level of precision and provide a toolbox from which middle range theories can be constructed.Acknowledgements; List of contributors; 1. Social mechanisms: an introductory essay Peter Hedstr?m and Richard Swedberg; 2. Social mechanisms and social dynamics Thomas C. Schelling; 3. A plea for mechanisms Jon Elster; 4. Real virtuality Gudmund Hernes; 5. Concatenations olc4