The Relationship Between Social Structure and Culture in Robert Wuthnow’s Theory and Its Critique from the Perspective of Ali Shariati’s Thought

Document Type : Research Article / Original Article

Authors

1 MA in Philosophy of Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The relationship between culture and social structure has long been a central debate in sociology: Do social conditions generate culture, or does culture itself drive structural transformation? Some scholars regard culture as the outcome of structure, while others emphasize its transformative role. Robert Wuthnow, adopting an objective approach, treats culture not as a subjective phenomenon but as a tangible and observable product. He explains the connection between ideology and structure within a theoretical framework, though structural factors tend to dominate despite his attention to human agency and the concept of “moral order.” In contrast, Ali Shariati conceptualizes the culture–structure relationship as reciprocal and dialectical. While acknowledging the influence of structure on culture, he also emphasizes culture’s capacity to reshape structure. This article analyzes Wuthnow’s cultural theory and critiques it from the perspective of Shariati’s dialectical thought, demonstrating that although Wuthnow attempts to transcend reductionist explanations, his theory ultimately leans toward structural determinism. Shariati, by contrast, offers a more comprehensive interpretation of the mutual interaction between culture and structure.

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References

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Social Theories of Muslim Thinkers
Volume 15, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 56-75

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History

  • Receive Date: 10 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 28 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 06 July 2025
  • Publish Date: 23 September 2025

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