Collective subject and collective agent: Some grounds for conceptualization

• Published in: Sot͡s︡iologicheskiĭ zhurnal Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 53 - 79
• Main Author: Dobrolyubov, S V
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Russian Academy of Sciences, Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology 01.06.2012
• Subjects: Choices; Cultural Change; Freedom; Individual Collective Relationship; Power; Social Consciousness; Social Power; Social Structure; Traditions
• ISSN: 1562-2495

In this essay, the author examines conceptual transition from an individual to a commonality. Incompatibility of individual' and social' concepts is overcome by consideration of commonality genesis as an appearance of real phenomenon in real intercourse of human beings. Appearance of social whole is possible only with restriction of individual's freedom of choice. That restriction might be internal - symbolic and motivational, and external - with the help of social power over an individual. The article shows how internal determination of choice leads to development of commonalities with social consciousness and self-consciousness, group solidarity, common practice, traditions, culture. The power over an individual, on the other hand, leads to appearance of organized communities with coordinated collective activities. Typically reflecting and acting community is understood as collective subject, while community with organized activities is understood as collective agent. Concepts of society and state, social structure and institutions are adapted to such understanding of commonality. Adapted from the source document.