On the Relational Perspective

Abstract

This article describes a new synthesis of social science theory, the “relational perspective,” which is a holistic, cross‐cultural, and interdisciplinary approach focusing on the phenomenology of personal and relationships as key factors influencing the development of culture and identity in folk and urban societies. Four ideal types (the tribe, peasantbased society, early modern society, and the bureaucratic planning system) are briefly described. Futher, it attempts to illuminate the “urban bias” of modern social science.