The theory of social games: outline of a general theory for the social sciences

Abstract Sociological general theories (or “grand theories”) have been criticized for being too abstract to be of any practical use empirical sociological work. This paper presents the outline a theory that claims better linked social research than previous theoretical attempts. The analyzes life as multitude interacting games. A game is an entity created by players with resources who engage in action shaped goals, rules, and representations, involves objects, leads outcomes. encompassing attempts, while allowing us integrate both instrumental normative at different levels social. Its main advantage it middle-range descriptive-interpretive heuristic, explanatory formal agent-based modeling. article provides many examples illustrate claims.