The duality between action and structure: outline for a Weberian research programme

Abstract

In this essay, I want to spell out the outline of such a Weberian research program. It can be regarded as a third sociology, overcoming the opposition between methodological individualism and holism. It is based on methodological relationism and on a two-sided and multi-level explanatory model, employing the notion of the duality of structure and action. Its analytical power is illustrated with reference to Weber’s study on ascetic Protestantism and on the economic ethic of the world religions.

Keywords

• max weber
• macro e micro
• holismo metodológico
• individualismo metodológico
• ação social
• estrutura