Rule Systems Theory: Applications and Explorations

Rule Systems Theory, or Social Rule System Theory, is one of the routes that have been taken in developing ideas stemming from a central conceptual problem of post-war sociology: integrating micro and macro levels of sociological analysis. Many sociologists have tried to formulate an integrated synthesis, notably Talcott Parsons (structural functionalism), Norbert Elias (figurational or process studies), Anthony Giddens (structuration) and Randall Collins (interaction ritual chains), to name but a few of the better known. Rule Systems Theory is another attempt at a synthesis, in which Tom R. Burns has been central both as a leading representative and as a network-builder and mentor. On the back cover, Falm and Carson describe the perspective as follows: