The source code of social theorising: engaging with binary distinctions, concepts, and typologies

TY - JOUR

T1 - The source code of social theorising: engaging with binary distinctions, concepts, and typologies

AU - Mladenov, Teo

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Emerald Publishing Limited

PY - 2026/4/24

Y1 - 2026/4/24

N2 - Purpose – The purpose of this article is to propose a metatheoretical framework for understanding the practice of social theorising. I argue that the latter fundamentally consists of engaging with binary distinctions, concepts and typologies. Design/methodology/approach – I combine pragmatic, systems-theoretical and critical-theoretical perspectives to discuss each of these three types of social-theoretical activity, paying particular attention to the foundational role of binaries. Findings – I apply my metatheoretical framework to critical social theorising by demonstrating how engaging with binaries, concepts and typologies is used to explore power with the aim of exposing oppressive structures and fostering agency within historically contingent social systems. I pay particular attention to engaging with binaries, concepts and typologies in disability studies, my specialist area. Originality/value – The analysis adds theoretical, methodological and pedagogical value. Theoretically, it strengthens metatheorising in social sciences, helping illuminate the basic building blocks or the “source code” of a theory; methodologically, it makes explicit the rules of engagement that organise theorising; and pedagogically, it demystifies social theorising, making the practice easier to teach and learn.

AB - Purpose – The purpose of this article is to propose a metatheoretical framework for understanding the practice of social theorising. I argue that the latter fundamentally consists of engaging with binary distinctions, concepts and typologies. Design/methodology/approach – I combine pragmatic, systems-theoretical and critical-theoretical perspectives to discuss each of these three types of social-theoretical activity, paying particular attention to the foundational role of binaries. Findings – I apply my metatheoretical framework to critical social theorising by demonstrating how engaging with binaries, concepts and typologies is used to explore power with the aim of exposing oppressive structures and fostering agency within historically contingent social systems. I pay particular attention to engaging with binaries, concepts and typologies in disability studies, my specialist area. Originality/value – The analysis adds theoretical, methodological and pedagogical value. Theoretically, it strengthens metatheorising in social sciences, helping illuminate the basic building blocks or the “source code” of a theory; methodologically, it makes explicit the rules of engagement that organise theorising; and pedagogically, it demystifies social theorising, making the practice easier to teach and learn.

KW - binary distinctions

KW - critical theory

KW - metatheory

KW - pragmatism

KW - systems theory

KW - disability studies

KW - methodology

KW - George Spencer-Brown

KW - Methodology

KW - Pragmatism

KW - Binary distinctions

KW - Systems theory

KW - Critical theory

KW - Metatheory

KW - Disability studies

U2 - 10.1108/ITP-12-2025-1932

DO - 10.1108/ITP-12-2025-1932

M3 - Article

SN - 0959-3845

SP - 1

EP - 16

JO - Information Technology & People

JF - Information Technology & People

ER -