As The Initiative Of The Source Of Social Networks

Social network is defined in this article as stable patterns of interaction and transaction practice which is composed of social members from different social groups. This article starts from the discussion of social network member's agency. Through the methods of secondary analysis, and using ideal types as analytical tool, this article analyzes the agency issue of social network mumbers in economic, political and social fields. This article also attemps to integrate the dualism of agency—structure by accepting the methodology of relationalism rather than substantialism.Firstly, in economic field, the agency of people is defined as the capability of rational choice. In New Economic Sociology, social network analysis is used to answer some economic questions. This article argues that economic agents are neither independent nor rational, instead, they are embedded in social network. However, the information which is provided by social network can somehow overcome the problem of "bounded rationality". Thus, people can enhance their agency by using social network as the channel of information.Secondly, in political field, the agency of people is defined as the capability of acquiring power. In using the theory of exchange network, this article argues that power is not a possession, instead, it can be deemed as the function of certain positions in the network to some extent. Thus, social network can extremely influence the agency of political agent.But New Economic Sociology and exchange network theory ignore the issues of socal values and norms. They do not realize that values and norms are inherent in economic exchange and political power. Unjust and irrational values and norms can enhance some social member's agency at the cost of some others.Values and norms issue belong to social field, which is the third part of the discussion of agency. In this field, agency is defined as the capability and practice of people to produce and construct just and rational values and norms. For the issue of internalization of norms, structural functionalist deem it as a natural process. It happens in the background of social group, which leads to one—sided and undifferentiated...