S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

265

Small scale/large scale: the network concept dissolves the micro/macro, dichotomy/dualism inherent in social theory. Connectability and density of connections replaces the notions of arbitrary and metaphorical scales of the individual, groups and organisations. It is replaced by the immutability of connections: ‘A network is never bigger than another one; it is simply longer or more intensely connected’ (Latour, 1999, p. 5).

(A)

(B)

Top

B

B

C

Bottom

A

A

Figure 8.3. Network scalability.

Traditional social theory (see Figure 8.3.A) represents the ‘ordering’ of a social world that hierarchically represents top to bottom or bottom to top. Actor-network theory (see Figure 8.3.B) utilises a network with no a priori ordering of relationships, there is no top or bottom of the social world, no assumptions as to individuals or groups being macro or micro. Accordingly: the scale, that is, the type, number and topography of connections is left to the actors themselves. The notion of network allows … [for] manoeuvers between the ingredients of [a social world] its vertical space, its hierarchy, its layering, its macro