Theory Beyond Structure and Agency

The book introduces innovative concepts of metric and nonmetric forms to address the structure-agency dilemma in sociological theory. Nonmetric forms represent social groups that differentiate insiders from outsiders, while metric forms symbolize dynamic zones, akin to traffic jams, where individuals continuously flow. By linking agency to nonmetric forms and structure to metric accumulation, the author reframes the perceived contradiction between structure and agency as an optical illusion, offering a fresh perspective on group identity and membership.