Action Theories

Action Theories

1. Action theories start from the opposite position to structural theories such as FUNCTIONALISM & MARXISM. They are micro-level, 'bottom-up' approaches focusing on the actions & interactions of individuals

2. Action theories are more voluntaristic: individuals have free will & choice.

3. The main action theories are SOCIAL ACTION THEORY, SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM, PHENOMENOLOGY & ETHNOMETHODOLOGY

4. WEBER: SOCIAL ACTION THEORY

   • WEBER saw both structural & action approaches as necessary for understanding human behaviour, arguing that an adequate explanation involves 2 levels:
     • 1. The level of cause, explaining the objective structural factors that shape behaviour.
     • 2. The level of meaning, understanding the subjective meanings that individuals attach to their actions.
   • In his study of the rise of capitalism, at the level of structural cause, the Protestant Reformation introduced a new belief system, Calvinism. This changed people's world view, leading to changes in their behaviour.
     • At the level of subjective meaning, work had a religious meaning for the Calvinists, as a calling by God. As a result, they accumulated wealth & became the first modern capitalist.