The Hierarchy Of Structure And Agency - 888 Words

There is a constant debate about the primacy of structure or agency in forming human behavior in the social science. Carlsnaes (as cited in Hay, 1995) claimed that â€Å"the problem of structure and agency is †¦ the central problem of social and political theory†. Radically, the agency-structure problem is an ontological problem which is related to the nature of structures, agents and their correlations (Wight, 2003). There are four influential positions in the structure-agency debate: structuralism, intentionalism, structuration theory and critical realism (Hay, 1995). In his book, structuralism emphasizes the dominance of structure rather than agency on behavior. It is a structure-centered approach, arguing that structures constrain and even determine agency in the relationship between structure and agency. However, intentionalism highlights the agents in explaining behavior. It is an agency-centered approach that regards structures as the product of intentional acts. S tructuration theory presents a developed attempt to transcend the dualism in which structure and agency are connected externally. It argues for the â€Å"duality of structure†. Critical realism is based on a dialectical cognizance of structure and agency, striving to overcome the dualism of the two. It links to â€Å"strategic-relational approach†. This essay will argue that structure and agency is a dialectical unity of relationship, and they entail and affect each other. In exceptional circumstances, they can beShow MoreRelatedOrganizational Theory671 Words   |  3 PagesAbstract I will discuss the basis of an organizational theory as it applies to the criminal justice system. I am discussing and giving a clear understanding of the criminal justice system as an organization of a bureaucratic management system with hierarchies and processes of inputs, processes, and outputs within one aspect of the criminal justice system i.e. police, within one city. I will also discuss how New Orleans Police Department was created throughout history and what organizational theory hasRead MorePolice Agencies Are Multifarious Organizations Comprised1073 Words   |  5 PagesPolice agencies are multifarious organizations comprised of specialized departments, functions, and structures. Authority is a binding of hierarchical relation between citizens and administration. Over the past several years agencies have changed internally and externally. Consequently personnel must upgrade their knowledge, skills, and techniques. Bureaucratic organization is part of contemporary democra cies that enrich our understanding of public administration. Adhering to the rules of the organizationRead MorePolice Functions And Units Of The United States1139 Words   |  5 Pagesapproximately 20,000 agencies in the United States of America, that consist of state and local police agencies. Many of these police agencies are loosely connected to each other. 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The organization is responsible with living out the purpose of their mission statement. The organizational structure reflects from the operative goals to help the organization function accordingly. Operative goals according to DaftRead MoreNotes On The New Management Structure Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pages Holocracy: The New Management Structure Cherokee Burns, Connor Delaney, Jason Christian, Khaother Almubarak, Scott Shankland and Yeenchan Lee The University of Oklahoma Holocracy: The New Management Structure Holocracy is a self-management structure that emphasizes on the idea of authority distribution to gain efficiency in the workplace. According to HolocracyOne (2016), Holocracy was designed to â€Å"replace the traditional management hierarchy with a new peer-to-peer ‘operatingRead MoreThe And Non Market Decision Making Essay1640 Words   |  7 Pageswill expect higher levels of control or higher levels of attention. Public agencies and government are treated as â€Å"omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent (Williamson O. E., 1999a, p. 306).† These characteristics set public agencies and government apart from private organizations—a topic that will be discussed in detail later in this paper. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Williamson’s views on organizational structure in relation to transaction cost economics as well as governance comparedRead MoreCore Concepts Of Pa Are The Development, Implantation And Study Of Governmental Branches1670 Words   |  7 Pagesprimary means of maintaining oversight and accountability in an organizational structure. A proper governance strategy implements systems to monitor and record what is going on, takes steps to ensure compliance with agreed policies and provides for corrective action in cases where the rules have been ignored or misconstrued. Rules are developed by a group of individuals who are involved in running a government agency but are not elected. 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