Radical Interactionism

Abstract

Radical interactionism (RI) is a theoretical perspective arising from the symbolic interactionist (SI) tradition, departing from conventional approaches to SI by redressing the lack of attention to the workings of power and domination in everyday social life. Developed primarily by Lonnie Athens, RI pushes the SI tradition beyond its theoretical and political conservatism, making the analysis of domination essential to all social inquiry. RI integrates the foundational SI work of George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer with the less well known work of Robert Park, bringing their early SI writings in dialogue with contemporary critiques of the SI tradition. This emerging theoretical position provides clear methodological guidance for social scientists who look to reconcile SI theory with contemporary critiques and with a growing theoretical emphasis on power and domination in everyday life.

Exploring Violent Cosmologies From a “Radical Interactionist” Approach

“…For a related approach, see Arrigo and Barrett (2008). by this rich theoretical tradition" (Shaw 2017). In Athens' proposal, "radical interactionism" recognizes the principle of "domination" (roles of superordination and subordination) as a cornerstone of society and its basic institutions.…”