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4 - The Theory of Strategic Action Fields

from Part II - The Theory of Strategic Action Fields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 April 2025

Ross Astoria
Ross Astoria
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin at Parkside
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Summary

This chapter presents Fligstein and McAdam’s theory of strategic action fields as a synthesis of the sociology of social change. The theory presents the social world as composed of embedded strategic action fields, each populated by three general types of social actors: incumbents, challengers, and an internal governance units. This chapter relies upon the electrical power company to illustrate the theory, preparing the way for a more granular discussion of the electrical power company.

Keywords

strategic action fieldsincumbentchallengerinternal governance unitsepisodes of contentionresettlementconstitutive rules of exchange
Type
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How to Decarbonize
Policy and Social Theory
 , pp. 63 - 82
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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