In this article, we argue that Alain Touraine's method of intervention is a way of conducting sociological analysis of collective action and social change, but that it must be developed in different ways. We place the intervention method within the context of Touraine's works on social movements and offer a detailed account. Drawing on the works of Pierre Bourdieu and Alberto Melucci we provide the basis for critically engaging with the method. We explore the methodological rules and procedures and the role of the researcher, and suggest a relatively more open understanding of the method.
Bengtsson, S. et al. (eds) (2003) Handicap, kvalitet og brugerinddragelse. København: AKF forlag .
2.
Bourdieu, P. (1998) Acts of Resistance. Against the New Myths of Our Time. Cambridge: Polity Press .
3.
Bourdieu, B. and Reynard, J.-D. (1974) ‘Is a Sociology of Action Possible?’ in A. Giddens (ed.) Positivism and Sociology,pp. 101–114. London: Heinemann .
4.
Bourdieu, P. and Wacquant, L. J. D. (1992) An Invitation to Reflexive Sociology. Chicago, IL: Chicago University Press .
5.
Bourdieu, P. et al. (1999) The Weight of the World. Cambridge: Polity Press .
6.
Castells, M. (1996) The Rise of the Network Society. Oxford: Polity Press .
7.
Cohen, Jean (1982) Class and Civil Society. The Limits of Marxian Critical Theory. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Press .
8.
Cooperrider, D. L. et al. (2001) ‘Appreciative Inquiry: the Power of the Unconditional Positive Question’, in P. Reason and H. Bradbury (eds) Handbook of Action Research. London: Sage .
9.
Cronberg, T. and Friis, D. (eds) (1990) Metoder i teknologivurdering – erfaring og fornyelse. København: Blytmann .
10.
Crozier, M. (1995) ‘Alain Touraine: A Pioneer in the New French Sociology’, in J. Clark and M. Diani (eds) Alain Touraine, pp. 9–17. London: Falmer Press .
11.
Delaney, G. (1999) Social Theory in a Changing World. Cambridge: Polity Press .
12.
Dubet, F. and Wieviorka, M. (1995) ‘Touraine and the Method of Sociological Intervention’, in J. Clark and M. Diani (eds) Alain Touraine, pp. 55–77. London: Falmer Press .
13.
Esseveld, J. and Eyerman, R. (1992) ‘Which Side Are You On? Reflections on Methodological Issues in the Study of “Distasteful” Social Movements’, in M. Diani and R. Eyerman (eds) Studying Collective Action, pp. 217–237. London: Sage .
14.
Featherstone, M. (1986) ‘French Social Theory: An Introduction’ , Theory, Culture & Society3: 1–6 .
15.
Flyvbjerg, B. (2001) Making Social Science Matter. Why Social Inquiry Fails and How It Can Succeed Again. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .
16.
Giddens, A. (1974) Positivism and Sociology. London: Heinemann .
17.
Gundelach, P. (2005) Visions in Agriculture. Copenhagen: Department of Sociology .
18.
Gupa, E. G. and Lincoln, Y. S. (1989) Fourth Generation Evaluation. London: Sage .
19.
Hamal, J. (1998) ‘The Positions of Pierre Bourdieu and Alain Touraine Respecting Qualitative Methods’ , British Journal of Sociology49: 1–19 .
20.
Hamal, J. (2001) ‘The Focus Group Method and Contemporary French Sociology’ , Journal of Sociology37: 341–353 .
21.
Holmila, M. (ed.) (1997) Community Prevention of Alcohol Problems. London: Macmillan .
22.
Jungk, R. and Müllert, N. (1981) Zukunftswerkstätten, Wege zur Wiederbelebung der Demokratie,
23.
McDonald, K. (2002) ‘L’intervention sociologique After Twenty-five Years: Can it Translate into English?’ , Qualitative Sociology25: 247–260 .
24.
Melucci, A. (1989) Nomads of the Present. London: Hutchinson Radius .
25.
North, P. (1998) ‘Exploring the Politics of Social Movements Through “Sociological Intervention”: a Case Study of Local Exchange Trading Schemes’ , Sociological Review46: 564–582 .
26.
Olsén, P. et al. (2003) Demokrati og bêredygtighed. Social fantasi og samfundsmêssig rigdomsproduktion. Roskilde: Roskilde Universitetsforlag .
27.
Scott, A. (1995) ‘Action, Movement and Intervention: Reflections on the Sociology of Alain Touraine’, in J. Clark and M. Diani (eds) Alain Touraine, pp. 77–93. London: Falmer Press .
28.
Stabile, Carol A. and Morooka, J. (2003) ‘Between Two Evils, I Refuse to Choose the Lesser’ , Cultural Studies17: 326–348 .
29.
Sulkunen, P. (1997) ‘On Addiction: Lay Conceptions of Alcoholism’ , paper presented at the KBS symposium, Reykjavik, June.
30.
Sulkunen, P. (1997) ‘Logics of Prevention: Mundane Speech and Expert Discourse on Alcohol Policy’, in P. Sulkunen et al. (eds) Constructing the New Consumer Society. London: Macmillan .
31.
Touraine, A. (1977) The Self-Production of Society. Chicago, IL: Chicago University Press .
32.
Touraine, A. (1981) The Voice and the Eye. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .
33.
Touraine, A. (1995) Critiques of Modernity. Oxford: Blackwell .
34.
Touraine, A. (2000) Can We Live Together? Equality and Difference. Cambridge: Polity Press .
35.
Touraine, A. et al. (1983) Solidarity. The Analysis of a Social Movement: Poland 1980–1981. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press .
36.
Wieviorka, M. (1995) The Arena of Racism. London: Sage .
37.
Wieviorka, M. (2004) ‘Researching Race and Racism. French Social Science and International Debates’, in B. Martin and J. Solomons (eds) Researching Race and Racism, pp. 52–64. London: Routledge .
38.
Wolfreys, J. (2002) ‘Pierre Bourdieu: Voice of Resistance’ , International Socialism Journal94-94 .
39.
Zolberg, A. A. (1988) ‘The Ecole Libre at the New School 1941–1946’, Social Research(Winter).
