The Problem of Complementarity in Sociology: A Theoretical and Methodological Analysis

Abstract

This study aims to highlight the growing need for complementary sociology in light of emerging social dynamics and crises within the discipline of sociology. The increasing complexity and rapid transformation of contemporary social structures have rendered traditional sociological approaches inadequate for providing comprehensive explanations, thereby underscoring the relevance of the concept of complementary sociology. Complementary sociology addresses the relationships between individuals and society, social norms, and the functioning of social structures through a holistic and multidimensional perspective. It focuses on understanding and responding to contemporary crises brought about by globalization and technology-driven transformations. As defined by Kara, this approach views social differences not as threats but as integral components of social cohesion and integration, thus enabling the transformation of social risks into opportunities. The primary objective of this research is to analyze social crises within a sociological context through the lens of complementary sociology and to develop comprehensive solutions to these crises. In this regard, phenomena such as social isolation, social distancing, and social inertia—emerging in individual-society, individual-group, and intercultural interactions—are reinterpreted through the principle of complementarity. The study is based on a descriptive research model and seeks to move beyond the limitations of classical sociological approaches by adopting a multidisciplinary and complementary methodology. In doing so, it aims to deepen sociological knowledge and construct new conceptual frameworks concerning the dynamics of social structure. Complementary sociology plays a critical role in the reconstruction of norms, strengthening of social integration, and resolution of social crises within today’s rapidly changing social contexts. Global-scale crises such as technological advancements, globalization, and the COVID-19 pandemic have caused profound transformations in the relationship between individuals and society, necessitating a reassessment of the sociological perspective. Complementary sociology provides new analytical tools and conceptual frameworks suitable for these transformations, ensuring that sociological knowledge responds to contemporary needs. As a result, it becomes possible to overcome the isolation between social issues and social relations, sustain social structures, and promote the social integration of individuals.