Giddens

Giddens is a surname. The most widely known bearer is Anthony Giddens (1938–2023), a British sociologist who played a central role in late-20th-century social theory. He served as director of the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) from 1997 to 2003 and remained a prominent public intellectual in debates on modernization, globalization, and public policy.

Giddens is best known for developing structuration theory, which posits a mutual constitution of social practices and social structures. This approach, sometimes described as the duality of structure, seeks to reconcile agency and social constraint within sociological analysis. His work emphasizes reflexivity, the entanglement of time and social life, and the transformative potential of social actors within modern institutions.

Among his influential publications are The Constitution of Society (1984), which laid out structuration theory; The Consequences of Modernity (1990); Modernity and Self-Identity (1991); and The Transformation of Intimacy (1992). These books explore how modern life is shaped by global processes, individual identity, and changing forms of relationships.

Giddens also influenced public policy discourse, notably advising the Labour government and contributing to debates on the Third Way, globalization, democracy, and climate governance. While many individuals share the Giddens surname, Anthony Giddens remains the most cited figure associated with the name in scholarly and public contexts.