Structure and Agency in Media and Culture - Essay Example

? Journalism, Mass Media and Communications Structure and Agency in Media and Culture Introduction Adebate, ongoing for decades is persistent in determining the relationship between structure and agency. There is a constant struggle to bridge the structure-agency relationship void and many approaches and theories have been presented in this regard. This paper suggests that Critical Realism Theory offers a solution by presenting a practical way to encounter the problem of structure- agency relations and contexts. Whether considering the voluntary or planned actions of subjects, or micro/macro analysis of a society or individual, the debate on structure and agency relationship keeps recurring (Archer, 199). This critical realist approach contends that structure and agency relationship must be studied in order to better understand and explain society or social actions. This ought to be accomplished to achieve a stable state of society and also to accommodate positive social change encompassing individual innovation. Critical Theory The Critical Theory is born with the assumption that social world needs improvement and reforms, as it is deeply flawed. This theory also refutes prediction and explanation to control the social world. The sole aim of this theory is to study the social world in order to change it for the better. It criticizes and seeks to change the imposing social order. Critical theory is political in nature as challenges and confronts the way people are ruled. It is also critical of the organizations that exercise unleashed power to obtain their goals. The theory believes that the social world is the result of interaction between structure and agency (Baran et al, 26-35). Structure “Structure,” is the norms, beliefs, rules, and practices that govern a society (Baran et al., 26-35). Agency The interaction and behavior, whether voluntary or planned, of human subjects within a given structure is called, “Agency.” Structure and Agency as a Theoretical Concept in Critical Theory I suggest that when taking a Critical Realist approach and looking at structure and agency, we find them ontologically intertwined. The critical theory unwinds the dynamic relationships between agents and the environment in which they exist and play their roles. In order to get close to the solutions of agency-structure problem, we ought to consider the evolutionary cycles of behavior for each ontological position (Hay). The intertwined relationship between agency and structure presents many solutions in a coherent and systematic manner. Taking a different discourse to the assumption that agency and structure clearly differentiated domains and each action requires a pre-existing structure (Archer, 198), whereas the critical realist theory asserts that condition and medium of agency conduct are necessary pre-requisites for the constitution of structures. Their existence is relationally dialectical and neither can exist in isolation from the other (Hay). We are not in substantial control of the social contexts in which we live in, however it definitely requires the exercise of agency to become someone and be labeled as such (Agency Textbook, 2). The agent’s particular decisions and acts are influenced by contexts in which the decision is made. Engaging in certain acts is a result of contextual factors and our choices are a by- product of the uncontrollable contexts as we learn to want the things in relation to the contextual surroundings. Rather than an inborn source, our dreams, aspirations, and agency are intertwined with the contextual sources (Agency Textbook, 2). The dynamics of power determine the enabling and constraint of agency as one has to demonstrate a certain amount of power to exercise agency. Power is continually negotiated and shifts frequently with a multiple, decentralized, and diffused structure (Agency Textbook, 3). The complex structure of power influences agency significantly because how power is exercised on us and how we demonstrate power, clearly affects the function we choose for ourselves and the positions that we might want to occupy. Similarly, displaying or censoring certain material on print, digital, or visual media can shape opinions on different issues and history as well. Structure or something that is constructed does not mean that it is something that is unchangeable, as without historic or social contexts, subjects and their agency of actions is meaningless (Agency Textbook, 6). Regardless, when acting routinely they are thought to have the ability to render unequivocal, their aims and their causes. Performers are expected to screen the quick outcomes of their activities, if instinctively or all the more deliberately, and to be fit for following the more drawn out results of their movements. In spite of the fact that performers are considered as purposeful and strategic, their inclination are not thought to be altered, by the material circumstances in which they end up. Diverse performing subjects while exercising agency in comparable material circumstances uncovered, will develop their diversions and inclinations.  The same performers might audit, amend and change their discerned hobbies and inclination after some time. As material circumstances and ideational impacts change, in following the planned and unintended results of their activities, subjects might come to adjust, reconsider or reject their harvested intends to understand their expectations (Hay). Undoubtedly, they might likewise come to change, update or reject their unique aims and the origination whereupon they were predicated. No methodological or ontological independence is accepted. Performers are not and neither attempt to be isolated nor act as individuals. With the exception of states and multi-national organizations, where group performers are distinguished or where agency is credited to complex and institutionally-separated figures. Assuming that this may appear to present an unduly agency-focused view, then it is vital that any such impression is rapidly tempered by an attention of the connection in which its operators end up, a setting. The way to the relationship between structure and agency inside the strategic-social methodology, is, the thought of system (Hay). Performers, as noted above, are attempted to be strategic and fit for formulating and changing intends to understand their plans. To act strategically the subjects must turn potential strategies to recognitions of the significant strategic connection and to utilize such a practice as an intention to select the specific strategy. Problems of Structure and Agency contributing to the Analysis of Media and Culture Through subtle influences on social norms and practices the powerful media significantly influences the agency of the subjects. Media might be viewed as an intruder which alters us, our relationships with others, and our social world. Critical theory analysis and criticizes the media and provides alternate, more fair ways to the media. The Critical theory which is about change is grounded in ideal values of mass democracy and believes in the notion that elites use media to their unfair advantage (Marxist Theory). It also encourages that misuse of media should be criticized and exposed by teaching media literacy to masses (Neo-Marxist Theory). Critical theory also depicts masses as highly vulnerable as they are influenced by even poor quality simulations. “The more recent (1980’s Critical Theory) suggests that capitalist elites are more interested in profits than meaningful or true content. The centralized, privately owned media turns culture into a commodity and better forms of media are replaced by mass entertainment. Also, the content on the media is written and/or aired with elite perspectives and is geared towards maintaining the status quo. The theory suggests that alternate, better practices are to be adopted by the media “This is evident from the example of CNN airing a pro-nuclear power film ’Pandora’s Promise’, on November 7, 2013. It presented that our planet can only be saved from destruction caused by fossil fuels, by large-scale investment in supposedly safe nuclear reactors, to meet our energy needs. Fair and Roots Action acted by presenting a petition signed by 27,000 activists to CNN, urging to present a more balanced and unbiased discussion. The CNN responded by airing a roundtable show ‘Nuclear Power: The Fallout from Fear’, that hosted a panel which was definitely biased and pro-nuclear. The panel included the director of the film, a former nuclear plant operator, and a pro-nuclear environment scientist, as opposed to only one anti-nuclear voice from Natural Resource Defense. Tailored facts and figures regarding health and safety were presented with an aim to prove nuclear technology as safe and viable. The reason behind the bias was that three of the chief financiers were pro-nuclear billionaires; Virgin’s Richard Branson, former Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and Paul Allen (Microsoft founder), who is an investor in advanced nuclear technologies (CNN, 2013)”. By looking at the example of two factory managers Ben and Phil by Gary Yukl, who had completely different management styles, we can analyze the contextual structures in which a subject acts or exercises his agency. Bill was a very relaxed and accommodating manager with little or no checks and balance procedures in place. Under his management the factory was running at a loss and when new management acquired the factory, he was forced to take an early retirement. Bill probably acted in this manner because of his relaxed and lenient contextual surroundings and so he exercised his agency accordingly. In contrast, when Phil was appointed as the new manager, a lot was expected of him. The contextual structure stated that leniency did not produce good results and he must do otherwise. Evaluating the contextual surroundings of the structure, he exercised his agency and acted accordingly to turn around the operations with performance and cost cutting measures to show productivity/ profits (Yukl, 77). Conclusion It is imperative that we study the relationships between structure and agency to better understand the environments of the society, and how humans living in that structure should exercise their agency for the benefit of society. We all are somewhat bound and restricted by the constraints of our surroundings and its contexts. At the same time, we as moral beings should also make sure that we exercise our power/choice to act in a responsible manner by taking the right path. Works Cited Agency Textbook Archer, Margaret S. Culture and Agency: The Place of Culture in Social Theory. Cambridge [u.a.: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1996. Print. Baran, Stanley J, Stanley J. Baran, and Dennis K. Davis. Mass Communication Theory: Foundations, Ferment, and Future. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2012. Print. CNN. "CNN Doubles Down on Pro-Nuclear Bias — FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting." FAIR: Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting. FAIR, 21 Nov. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. Hay, Colin. "The WSCR Archive: Colin Hay: "What Place for Ideas in the Structure-Agency Debate? Globalisation as a 'Process Without a Subject'"." The Web Site for Critical Realism | Home. Critical Realism, 2001. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. Yukl, Gary A. Leadership in Organizations. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson, 2010. Print. Read More