Theory in Action starts by detailing how social theory is commonly understood, practiced and abused. It follows by proposing alternative ideas of the active and knowledge-generative use of social theory, and demonstrates, by providing examples, a variety of theoretical operations.

Concepts in Action focuses on what to do with theoretical concepts, rather than providing conveyed definitions. The book covers a variety of examples what to do, how to think, in order to develop and use concepts in the social sciences.