This book offers the newest research developments and theory in the re-emerging field of structural analysis. The first section provides an overview and appraisal of the history and future of structural analysis. Subsequent sections focus on culture, historical processes, and macro-micro level interactions. The book's synthetic essays take a variety of forms dealing with structural levels of analysis, agency and structure, multidimensional views of social structure, and theory integration.

Chapter 1 Preface Part 2 Part I. Structural Analysis: Past, Present, and Future Chapter 3 History of Social Structural Analysis Chapter 4 Social Structure: The Future of a Concept Part 5 Part II. Culture and Social Structure Chapter 6 How Are Structures Meaningful? Cultural Sociology and Theories of Structure Chapter 7 Agency, Structure and Deritualization: A Comparative Investigation of Extreme Disruptions of Social Order Chapter 8 Global Power, Hegemonic Decline, and Cultural Narratives Chapter 9 Situating Hybridity: The Positional Logics of a Discourse Part 10 Part III. History and Social Structure Chapter 11 A Structural Theory of the Five Thousand Year World System Chapter 12 Evolutionary Pulsations in the World System Chapter 13 Paradigms Bridged: Institutional Materialism and World-Systemic Evolution Chapter 14 Ecology in Command Chapter 15 Applications of Elementary Theory to Structures of Antiquity Part 16 Part IV. Micro and Macro Structures: Interactions and Organizations Chapter 17 Gender, Institutions and Difference: The Continuing Importance of Social Structure in Understanding Gender Inequality in Organizations Chapter 18 Social Structure and Social Exchange Chapter 19 Social Organizations across Space and Time: The Policy Process, Mesodomain Analysis, and Breadth of Perspective Chapter 20 Acts, Persons, Positions, and Institutions: Legitimating Multiple Objects and Compliance with Authority Chapter 21 Index