Social theory is a paradigm to study and interpret social phenomena, the organization of society, the role of the individual in society, and modes of interpreting and analyzing trends and the best conceptions of society. Social theory is a continuing evolution from philosophy, literature, social science, political science, economics, sociology and other disciplines. It only emerged formally in the 20th century as a distinct discipline. Some influential theorists include Montesquieu, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. A lot of tension has involved the inherent nature of humans, the responsibilities and rights of the individual versus the larger society, the form of economic and political representation, and identity within the edifices of tradition, institutions, and media. Like all areas of knowledge, social theory is evolving with no end in sight nor anticipated.
