The concept of social structure is widely recognized as one of the most fundamental
ideas in the discipline of sociology. However, in this book the
author argues that it still remains one of the most elusive and abused concepts
in sociological theory. The author claims that the continued status of
the notion of social structure in contemporary sociological theory results from
a significant lack of precise theories about social structure. The goal of this
book is to achieve a theoretical synthesis in order to form a basis towards a
sociological theory of social structure. In doing so, the author draws from
three major currents of sociological thought. First, the author identifies
principles of social structure from classical sociologists. Second, he revisits
and reclaims the useful contributions made in the discourse concerning the
issue of structure-agency. Third, he draws from economic and organizational
sociology in search of governance structures which, in essence, offer a viable
conceptualization of social structure. The book addresses the important
question of social structure in the field of general sociological theory.