Structural Comparison, Transfers and Unequal Power Relations: Field Theory as a Conceptual and Methodological Tool

Abstract

This paper proposes a comparative approach theoretically and methodologically based in the sociology of literature, and more specifically on field theory, which takes into account circulation and transfers, as well as international power relations between centers and peripheries. As developed in the first section, this approach combines Bourdieu's field theory, Casanova's analysis of the world republic of letters, Even-Zohar's polysystem theory, Moretti's quantitative methods, and the author's own work on the circulation of literary texts and forms. Exemplified by case studies borrowed from the existing literature (including the author's research), the methodological framework developed in the following sections addresses authorities (publishers, prizes, festivals) and writer's strategies.