Newman, J orcid.org/0000-0003-3541-7546 (2019) Morphogenetic Theory and the Constructivist Institutionalist Challenge. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 49 (1). pp. 106-126. ISSN 0021-8308
Abstract
This article engages with two meta-theoretical approaches to social analysis, ‘morphogenetic theory’ and ‘constructivist institutionalism’, and specifically explores how the former fares under the critical scrutiny of the latter. The key proponent of constructivist institutionalism, Colin Hay, has offered two detailed critiques of morphogenesis that criticise its position on the foundational sociological issues of structure-agency and material-ideational. Although Hay’s critiques are largely rejected in an overall defence of the morphogenetic approach, the process of engagement is seen to be particularly useful for morphogenetic theory because it allows a number of important clarifications to be made and it also opens up space for theoretical development. In the course of this debate, accessible introductions are given to both theories, and the similarities and differences between them are outlined, providing clarity to both. Therefore, although this article ultimately operates as a defence of morphogenetic theory, especially in the form proposed by Margaret Archer and Douglas Porpora, it finds a great deal of fruitful discussion in the constructivist institutionalist challenge.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This is an author produced version of a paper published in Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | morphogenesis; constructivist institutionalism; structure; agency; culture; material; ideational; critical realism; social change; Margaret Archer; Colin Hay |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Education, Social Sciences and Law (Leeds) > School of Politics & International Studies (POLIS) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 02 Nov 2018 17:22 |
Last Modified: | 08 Dec 2019 01:39 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/jtsb.12193 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:137762 |