James Samuel Coleman

James Samuel Coleman ( born May 12, 1926 in Bedford, Indiana, † March 25, 1995 in Chicago, Illinois) was an American sociologist with great influence on the theory of sociology. He was 83rd President of the American Sociological Association.

Work and impact

He made contributions to the theory of action, according to which system transitions are to be analyzed from a macro level to a micro level and the meso level back to a macro view. This is the case when complex social systems will be explained.

Classification of his "Foundations of Social Theory " in sociology

Coleman is attributable to methodological individualism and the representatives of the rational choice theory in sociology. This school of thought is that of the system theorists with regard contrary, the representatives of the Methodological are collectivism.

Theoretical Approach

In his explanation of social structures (macro phenomena ) Coleman relies on the individual level to level (micro level ). This means, he explains the company by the behavior of its components, the actors.

There are for him two types of actors: individuals and corporate actors. The latter are larger social entities: for example, Companies, trade unions, as well as states and NGOs. He treats his concept both types of players the same, but is a power imbalance between the actors to the detriment of individuals because of their different resources fixed. Ultimately, there would be less of action than for social structures for the individuals. For individuals in an increasingly interdependent world, it is rational to give power to corporate actors.

The basis of his concept here is the concept of rational cost-minimizing and utility-maximizing actors, which is based on the theory of "homo economicus " of economics. He extended it to the involvement of the macro level and to further exchange ability of players. To replace by Coleman in a society actors not only goods, but also action and control rights among themselves.

The model of the macro - micro-macro scheme

A central part of his theory is his model of the macro - micro-macro scheme. This model is the effect of social phenomena (1 - macro level) on the behavior of actors ( 2-3 - micro-level ) and of dortaus back to the company ( 4 - Macro) explain: A macro phenomenon x1 ( 1) conditionally another macro phenomenon x2 ( 4) by first on the actors 'works' and sets the boundary conditions at which these align their actions (2). It comes down to the actual actions of actors ( 3), which then in the sum once again to a new macro phenomenon ( 4) put together. [ James Coleman in Foundations of Social Theory. Pp. 10ff. ; 1991 Oldenbourg Verlag]

The first step of the macro-level (1) for micro-level (2) (a) must be made plausible by the logic of the situation. The actions of the actors are explained by theoretical decision rules. This step is referred to as selection logic of the (b). The closing of the micro - macro level is back to the last step. In the logic of aggregation ( c ) must be closed again on the macro phenomenon by means of rules of the actions of the actors.

The macro - micro-macro scheme is indeed also called Coleman'sche bath or boat, but has many precursors and is not due to him alone.

Coleman shows the application of logic, for example, based on Max Weber's Protestant thesis.