Micro Sociology and Macro Sociology

The study of everyday behavior in situations of face-to-face interaction is usually called microsociology. Macrosociology is the analysis of large-scale social systems, like the political system or the economic order. It also includes the analysis of long- term processes of change, such as the development of industrialism. At first glance, it might seem that microanalysis and macro analysis are distinct from one another. In fact, the two are closely connected. Macro analysis is essential if we are to understand the institutional background of daily life. The ways in which people live their everyday lives are greatly affected by the broader institutional framework, as is obvious when the daily cycle of activities of a culture like that of the medieval period is compared with life in an industrialized urban environment.

Micro studies are in turn necessary for illuminating broad institutional patterns. Face-to-face interaction is clearly the main basis of all forms of social organization, no matter how large scale. People do not live their lives as isolated individuals, nor are their lives completely determined by national states. Sociology tells us that our everyday life is lived in families, social groups, communities and neighborhoods. At this level the meso (or 'middle') level of society it is possible to see the influences and effects of both micro- and macro-level phenomena.

Many sociological studies of specific local communities deal with the macro sociological impact of huge social changes, such as industrialization and economic globalization. People do not live their lives as isolated individuals, nor are their lives completely determined by national states. Sociology tells us that our everyday life is lived in families, social groups, communities and neighborhoods. At this level the meso (or 'middle') level of society it is possible to see the influences and effects of both micro- and macro-level phenomena. Many sociological studies of specific local communities deal with the macro sociological impact of huge social changes, such as industrialization and economic globalization. But they also explore the way that individuals, groups and social movements cope with such changes and attempt to turn them to their advantage.

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