Agency and Structure

Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices. It emphasizes personal control and decision-making power. Structure, on the other hand, refers to the social, economic, and cultural systems that influence and constrain those choices. It includes institutions, norms, and rules that shape behavior. Together, agency and structure illustrate a dynamic relationship: while individuals can exercise agency within the boundaries set by structure, those structures can also change as individuals collectively act and challenge existing norms. Understanding this interplay helps us grasp how personal and societal factors influence behavior.