Theoretical and methodological foundations for analyzing agentic transformations in communities

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Agential transformations are a concept widely discussed in sociology and related disciplines, notably in the works of Margaret Archer and Pierre Bourdieu. They regard agency as an individual’s internal ability to act, regardless of the constraints of social structures, thus playing a pivotal role in shaping social change. This article delves into the theoretical and methodological foundations of analyzing transformations in communities, utilizing M. Archer’s morphogenetic theory and P. Bourdieu’s notions of habitus and social fields. In 2014, following the Revolution of Dignity, the Ukrainian Parliament voted for the Local Self-Governance and Territorial Administration Reform, better known as the “Decentralization” reform. A cornerstone of this reform was the creation of a new, subnational level of territorial communities. Newly elected local government bodies received substantially more executive powers and fiscal privileges. The amalgamation of communities was voluntary, paving the way for certain transformations. Ukraine’s reform accentuated citizen participation, fostering a culture of accountability. While frameworks like Social Impact Assessment and Community Capaсity and Community Resilience provide insights, they lack tools to assess agential shifts explicitly. Here, Archer’s and Bourdieu’s theories offer a holistic lens, underscoring agency within societal confines.This article explores the theoretical foundations of agential transformations, applying them to the case of Ukraine’s decentralization reform. It underscores the importance of individual agency within the context of social structures and cultural norms, highlighting the value of Archer’s morphogenetic theory and Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and social fields in understanding community transformations. By adopting this holistic analytical approach, researchers and policymakers can gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of community development and design more effective strategies for fostering citizen participation and accountability.