Editing Structuration theory (section)

{{Short description|Social theory proposed by Giddens that attempts to resolve the structure-agent debate}}
The '''theory of structuration''' is a [[social theory]] of the creation and reproduction of social systems that is based on the analysis of both ''[[Social structure|structure]]'' and ''[[Agency (sociology)|agents]]'' (see [[structure and agency]]), without giving primacy to either. Furthermore, in structuration theory, neither [[Microsociology|micro]]- nor [[Macrosociology|macro-focused]] analysis alone is sufficient. The theory was proposed by [[sociologist]] [[Georges Gurvitch]] and later refined by [[Anthony Giddens]], most significantly in ''The Constitution of Society'',<ref name="The constitution of society">{{cite book|last=Giddens|first=A.|year=1984|title=The constitution of society: Outline of the theory of structuration|location=Cambridge|publisher=Polity Press|isbn=978-0-520-05728-9}}</ref> which examines [[phenomenology (philosophy)|phenomenology]], [[hermeneutics]], and social practices at the inseparable intersection of structures and agents. Its proponents have adopted and expanded this balanced position.<ref name="Structuration theory">Stones, R. (2005). ''Structuration theory.'' New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.</ref> Though the theory has received much criticism, it remains a pillar of contemporary [[sociological theory]].<ref name="Critical appreciation">Bryant, C.G.A., &amp; Jary, D. (1991). Coming to terms with Anthony Giddens. In C.G.A. Bryant &amp; D. Jary (Eds.), ''Giddens' theory of structuration: A critical appreciation'' (pp. 1-32). New York, NY: Routledge.</ref>