actionalism

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noun

The theory of sociologist Alain Touraine that aims to replace sociology's focus from society to actors. Here, they emphasise the importance of individuals as agents of social systems, rather than passive observers.

OriginFrench actionnalisme →
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Meanings

nounactionalism (uncountable)
  1. uncountablehuman sciencesThe theory of sociologist Alain Touraine that aims to replace sociology's focus from society to actors. Here, they emphasise the importance of individuals as agents of social systems, rather than passive observers.

Origin

  1. Frenchactionnalisme
  2. Englishactionalism

Borrowed from French actionnalisme.

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

anomalistic
Cite this entry
APA

actionalism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/actionalism

MLA

“actionalism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/actionalism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “actionalism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/actionalism.

Source: actionalism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.