General Theoretical Issues

Abstract

This chapter discusses four theoretical questions of a general nature. The first is epistemological and concerns the notion of Bohrian complementarity, which, I argue, is a principle that is highly relevant for several important problems in societal theory and will be used to clarify two questions later in the text. The next two concern basic ontological issues, namely the structure-agency problem, where the principle of complementarity is applied for the first time (the second is in chapter 6) and the question of ideas versus material forces. Finally, the fourth section addresses a problem of a different kind, namely the reasons for applying a macro-sociological and idiographic approach to global society, politics and governance.