This book investigates the intricate relationship between communication processes and the formation and maintenance of social structures. David R. Maines, drawing on sociological and communication theories, examines how symbolic interaction, language, and shared meanings contribute to the creation of social order. The work explores the dynamic interplay between individual communication acts and the broader societal frameworks they both reflect and shape, considering the constraints and possibilities inherent in these structures.

The book is likely regarded as a significant contribution to the theoretical underpinnings of sociology and communication studies. Its focus on the fundamental link between how people communicate and how society is organized suggests a text aimed at academics and advanced students in these fields. The work probably offers a dense, analytical perspective on social construction and the role of symbolic interaction in maintaining social order.