actornetworks
Actor-network theory, often abbreviated as ANT, is a theoretical and methodological framework that analyzes social phenomena by treating both human and non-human entities as actors within a network. Developed primarily by sociologists Michel Callon, Bruno Latour, and John Law, ANT proposes that social order is not pre-determined but rather emerges from the constantly shifting relationships between these heterogeneous actors. Instead of focusing on pre-existing social structures, ANT examines how actors, or "actants," enroll and mobilize other actants to achieve their goals, creating and maintaining networks of association.
Non-human actants can include objects, technologies, texts, or even natural phenomena, all of which are seen