Beyond the dance floor: applying Elias and Giddens to understand social dynamics

This study makes an innovative synthesis of Norbert Elias's figurational sociology and Anthony Giddens's structuration theory, with the aim of examining the nuanced interplay between agency and structure in diverse social contexts. By integrating supplementary insights from Bourdieu's concept of habitus and Fligstein's and McAdam's theory of Strategic Action Fields (SAFs), the research bridges significant theoretical gaps and involves a meso-level perspective. Empirical applications, including analyses of social movements and historical transitions, demonstrate the frameworks' adaptability and relevance in capturing dynamic interdependencies, emotional regulation, and the transformative potential of various social practices. This multidimensional approach offers new insights into the co-evolution of systemic structures and individual agency, thereby advancing sociological discourse by providing actionable tools for understanding power dynamics and societal transformations. The findings contribute to both theoretical refinement and practical applications, underscoring the importance of historical embeddedness and relational interdependencies in shaping contemporary social life.