Post-Societal Analysis: Structuration Theory and Time/Space catagories.

Against the backdrop of the debate over globalization and the controversy regarding modernity/postmodernity, this paper asks what future the analytic notion of 'society' has for sociology in general and social theory in particular. In so doing, the paper focuses on specific aspects of Anthony Giddens's theory of structuration; particular emphasis is placed on his novel account of 'time-space distantiation' as pivotal to the constitution and reproduction of social relations. It is argued that the rethinking of 'society' as a series of virtual instantiations, set of dynamic processes, or the patterning of 'absent presences', provides a fruitful way forward for sociology to critically analyze notions of system, structure and the social in an age of intensive globalization and postmodern liquidity. In interrogating Giddens's revolution in sociological thinking concerning time and space, the paper concludes by raising some critical questions about the role of 'society' as an analytic concept in sociology as well as sketching some possible directions for a critical social theory "after society." ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]