Abstract
This article draws on earlier work in social system theorizing and analysis—in particular, the theory of social rule systems. On the basis of this foundational work, its aim is to systematically link theories of social groups and organizations, on the one hand, and social science game and interaction theory, on the other hand. Rule system theory has contributed to significant features of group theory and social science game theory. It is a cultural-institutional approach to conceptualizing group systems and games. We explore how groups and their particular games can be effectively described, analyzed, and compared—and their similarities and differences identified on a systematic basis. For illustrative purposes, we present a selection of several ideal types of groups: a military unit, a terrorist group, a recreational or social group, a research group, and a business entity, each of whom has a distinct rule configuration making for particular “rules of the game” and game patterns of interaction and outcome.
Highlights
Group theory derives from the theory of social rules and rule complexes applied to describing, analyzing, and explaining diverse types of groups and organizations and their particular patterns of behavior
The theory of social rules and rule regimes is applied to group theory for describing, analyzing, and explaining diverse types of groups. (As indicated above, the same theory is used in the formulation of a social science game theory.1 ) Rule system theory provides a model which identifies key specific rule categories which underlie or, when enacted, generate particular group or organizational properties and patterns: the rules concern a group’s particular participants and their relations and social structure, its times and places, its values and goals, its activities and procedures and productions, its materials and technologies used in group activities and production functions
In Appendix A, we present in more detail these universal rule types/categories (10) that make up a group or organizational rule regime
Summary
Group theory derives from the theory of social rules and rule complexes applied to describing, analyzing, and explaining diverse types of groups and organizations and their particular patterns of behavior. (As indicated above, the same theory is used in the formulation of a social science game theory.1 ) Rule system theory provides a model which identifies key specific rule categories which underlie or, when enacted, generate particular group or organizational properties and patterns: the rules concern a group’s particular participants and their relations and social structure, its times and places, its values and goals, its activities and procedures and productions, its materials and technologies used in group activities and production functions They concern the finite and universal rule base of group social action and interaction, its material, social structural, and agential conditions.
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