From social networks to network society: A review of the macro network approach in sociology

Abstract

Traditional sociological theories are no longer fully capable of explaining social changes in the modern world. For this reason demands for new social theories is growing. In this article the author analyses one of these attempts, by reviewing new macro social network theories. Since our sociological community is not familiar enough with network theory, the first part of the paper is devoted to outlining the history of the social network approach in general. In the second part of the paper the more recent macro social network approach is discussed as represented by its most important proponents.Tradicionalne socioloske teorije sve teze uspevaju da adekvatno objasne aktuelne drustvene promene. Stoga, sve cesce se cuju apeli u prilog stvaranju novih drustvenih teorija. U clanku se analizira jedan od takvih pokusaja, kroz prikaz nastajuce makro mrezne drustvene teorije. Kako ovaj pristup na nasem prostoru nije dovoljno poznat, u prvom delu rada se prikazuje razvoj mreznog pristupa uopste. U drugom delu rada, teziste je stavljeno na relativno novi, makro mrezni pristup u sociologiji, kroz kriticku analizu shvatanja njegovih najznacajnijih predstavnika.