A Critique of Ultimate Referentiality in the New Social Movement Theory of Alberto Melucci.

A critical examination of Alberto Melucci's new social movement theory shows an operative assumption about the ultimate referentiality of society in his theory. Melucci assumes society as the unique, rational ground that renders society a reservoir of all meanings and conflicts. The actor's pregiven social position is assumed to predispose him or her with the ability to enter into certain conflicts. To show Melucci's operative assumption, three major theses in his theory are examined: (1)transition to the postindustrial society. (2) the new middle class radicalism, (3) identity as "latent" and `visible." It is argued that Melucci's notion of society has its roots in his parochial, institutional conception of politics that disregards the hegemonic formation of society and the political character of every social phenomenon and practice. This critique leads to an invitation to a sociology that treats new social movements as loci of the political re-institution of society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]