Modalities are fundamental to understanding the concept behind

structuration The theory of structuration is a social theory of the creation and reproduction of social systems that is based on the analysis of both ''structure'' and '' agents'' (see structure and agency), without giving primacy to either. Furthermore, in stru ...

. According to

Anthony Giddens Anthony Giddens, Baron Giddens (born 18 January 1938) is an English sociologist who is known for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies. He is considered to be one of the most prominent modern sociologists and is t ...

, modalities explain the properties of the

structure A structure is an arrangement and organization of interrelated elements in a material object or system, or the object or system so organized. Material structures include man-made objects such as buildings and machines and natural objects such as ...

. The structure is said to have both structural and individual qualities. Giddens refers to these structural modalities as "rules" and "resources" respectively. In application, Giddens is separating himself from other structuralists by acknowledging the enabling functions that the structure provides. A case of a "rule" is the act of obeying a law. That is, there are limits that the structure places on

agency Agency may refer to: Organizations * Institution, governmental or others ** Advertising agency or marketing agency, a service business dedicated to creating, planning and handling advertising for its clients ** Employment agency, a business that ...

causing the agent to act in a certain way. In this respect the structure is imposing restrictions upon the agent in order to accomplish societal norms. Norms, however, have changed in the past and are under constant manipulation by the society through the use of structural "resources". Civil laws can and have been overturned or rewritten in the past. Laws that have limited human liberties, can be overturned as there exists "resources", e.g. lawyers who can present a case for social reform. It could also be the process of

judicial review Judicial review is a process under which executive, legislative and administrative actions are subject to review by the judiciary. A court with authority for judicial review may invalidate laws, acts and governmental actions that are incompat ...

itself. Giddens suggests that it is these modalities that illustrate his reliance on the duality of structure because it presents a case where knowledgeable individuals can use the resources available to them to change policies, standards or norms that the structure imposes upon them.

References

* Critical theory {{critical-theory-stub

See also

References