The force of science and the force of organizations: some exploratory thoughts applied to the example of the Oñati International Institute for the Sociology of Law

Abstract

A challenge in the current discussion of sociological theories is to find ways of combining systems theory with theory of social agency. The theoretical framework here introduced suggests one possible combination and is applied to reflections on the Oñati Institute’s past and future. What justifies this exercise is that it is time for the Institute to appreciate on what social forces it can count; and it is worth for sociology – of law – to take advantage of this opportunity to develop its tools for the approach of social forces.