Agency is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been studied across various disciplines, including sociology, philosophy, psychology, and anthropology. At its core, agency refers to the capacity of individuals or groups to act independently, make choices, and exert control over their environment.

There are two main approaches to understanding agency: top-down and bottom-up. The top-down approach views agency as being shaped by macro-level structures, such as institutions, norms, and power relations. This approach emphasizes the role of social context in shaping individual and collective behavior.

The concept of agency is often juxtaposed with structure, which refers to the social, economic, and cultural contexts that shape individual and collective behavior. The interplay between agency and structure is a central concern in sociological theory, as it highlights the tensions between individual freedom and social constraint.