Blackwell Reference Online

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Consistent with the classical theories of Marx, Weber, and Simmel, elementary theory is a multilevel theory of interaction in social relations. For example, elementary theory (hereafter ET) predicts power exercise, who benefits in social relations such as exchange, coercion, and conflict. ET's actor-level assumptions are (1) that actors pursue valued states called interests within social relations and (2) that an actor's interests can be inferred from the social relations and structures in which activity occurs. On a structural level, ET embeds social relations in social structures, which consist of two or more connected social relations. Social structures are in turn characterized by rules and restrictions, including but not limited to rules delimiting the maximum and minimum number of exchanges at a position and rules mandating the sequence of social interaction across a structure. ET makes predictions in light of the interrelations among relational and structural conditions and actor's interests. Willer and Anderson (1981) demonstrated that ET predicts action in a diversity of social structures ranging from legal systems to political networks to several distinct community systems. Through an interactive process involving the relaxation of scope conditions, the discovery and conceptualization of new structural conditions, theory integration, and experimental testing, ET expanded ... log in or subscribe to read full text