THE PROMINENCE OF FORMAL THEORY IN SOCIOLOGY

In sociology, work in formal theory is more extensive and intensive to day than at any time in the past, but remains invisible to some, inclu ding S. Zhao [(1996) ''The Beginning of the End or the End of the Begi nning: The Theory Construction Movement Revisited,'' Sociological Foru m, Vol. II, No. 2 pp. 305-318]. I trace the growth of formal theory in sociology focusing on theoretical research programs and show that, wh ereas formal theory came after the books on theory construction, it wa s not based on them. Elementary Theory's research program provides an trample of that discontinuity. Some misunderstandings concerning forma l theory can be traced to the Maryland Theory Conference of 1990 and a critique of selected ideas of that Conference is offered.