Methodological individualism, that today is about the only real key  
distinctive feature of economics with respect to other social sciences, is  
surely a very effective way of looking at society. On the other hand, a  
"mono methodological individualism view" can disregard the role of  
institutions in individual's actions and society: institutions surely are  
outcomes of individual's actions, but, once they exist, they undoubtedly  
influence individual actions -- a typical example is market. Market prices,  
for instance, are surely at the end determined by individual actions, but  
nobody can deny that real markets are something more than just "outcomes  
of action by individuals." All organization theory is about interplay  
between individuals outcomes (rules, norms, �) retroacting to individual  
actions.  
  
Luigino Bruni