Analytical sociology and cultural sociology

This paper argues that to bridge the gulf between analytical sociology and cultural sociology, a certain amount of intellectual risk is needed. By a close analysis of three award-winning papers selected from the list of winners of the “Robert K. Merton Award”, the annual award given by International Network of Analytical Sociologist, the essay illustrates the constitutive dimensions of a thin description-thick description gradient that shapes the border between analytical sociology and cultural sociology. Along this gradient, three key issues emerge: framing vs. intentionality, expressive action vs. instrumental action, action-formation vs. agent-formation mechanisms. Overall, the chief challenge to bridge the gulf is the problem of meaning and the introduction of cultural mechanisms in the macro-micro-macro schema. To deal with this challenge, analytical sociologists should avoid to define a canon whose borders are designed chiefly to establish the approach as a powerful player in soc...