Social differentiation. A subject-oriented perspective

Sociology as an academic discipline has matured with the basic idea of soci al differentiation. Theories of stratification as well as those of function al differentiation both have their roots in this concept. When discussing m echanisms of integration, there are some important factors beyond social st ructures which have to be mentioned. As will be pointed out, social differe ntiation is decisively based on individual acts of integration. Against thi s background, this paper takes a ''subject-oriented perspective." The struc ture of this article is as follows: First, social differentiation is descri bed as a pro cess of dissocation from the requirements of integration. Seco nd, individual acts of integration are discussed as adequate reactions to t his societal shortcoming. Third, those acts which have social effects can b e described as effective in the ongoing process of differentation. Finally, the potential of the perspective outlined here is discussed in terms of de creasing the gap between the two "grand theories" of society touched upon.