Unifying the micro and macro levels. A comprehensive introduction to the sociology of Randall Collins

Abstract

This article is a comprehensive approach —a descriptive, not critical one— to the work of sociologist Randall Collins. The basic aim is to present his sociology, in order to ensure that his contributions could be integrated —for discussion and debate— within the Spanish sociology. For this, the article is divided into three main parts: the first section focuses on the Collins’s epistemology and methodology, showing its explanatory and historical vocation. The second and most central section focuses on his social ontology, which I consider as emergentist monism: the connection between micro and macro levels is showed, and the laws governing the interaction rituals and the geopolitical and market dynamics are identified. Finally, his sociology of meso, micro and macro violence is developed as an example of the integration of the various levels. Throughout the article I will try to explain, especially as footnotes, some of the most characteristic themes of American sociologist.