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Ontologies, socio-technical transitions (to sustainability), and the multi-level perspective
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 23:37 authored by Frank W GeelsUsing recent criticisms and suggestions regarding the multi-level perspective as stepping stones, the article aims to enhance the reflexivity in transition debates regarding social theories. To that end, the article discusses seven social science ontologies (rational choice, evolution theory, structuralism, interpretivism, functionalism, conflict and power struggle, relationism), their assumptions on agency and causal mechanisms, and their views on socio-technical transitions and environmental sustainability. The second goal is to position the multi-level perspective on transitions with regard to these ontologies and to identify directions for theoretical extensions. The MLP is characterized not as a grand or unifying theory, but as a middle range theory that makes crossovers to some ontologies and not to others.
History
Publication status
- Published
Journal
Research PolicyISSN
0048-7333Publisher
ElsevierExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
39Page range
495-510Pages
16.0Department affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes