macrosociology
macrosociologyMacrosociology is usually contrasted with microsociology. The former examines the wider structures, interdependent social institutions, global and historical processes of social life, while the latter is more concerned with action, interaction, and the construction of meaning. In general, theories such as symbolic interactionism, exchange theory, and ethnomethodology are regarded as microsociological theories, whilst Marxism, functionalism, and systems theory are regarded as macrosociological. (All of these theories are treated under separate headings elsewhere in this dictionary.)
Needless to say, however, it is important not to push this distinction too far, since much sociological research is neither clearly in one camp nor in the other, and can be seen as part of a continuing debate over the relationship between social system and social actor. Are micro and macro...
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