A theory of causality for QCA

Ragin never committed QCA to a particular theory of causality. However, the truth table minimization uses various regularity tools, most importantly set consistency (constant conjunction). Yet, QCA connects best to a critical realist causal powers approach. Water is a configuration of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O) and has the causal power to extinguish fire. This power is emergent and not reducible to hydrogen and oxygen, which fuel fire. Similarly, QCA’s configurations describe emergent causal powers that are not reducible to their component conditions. Conditions are not causes, and configurations describe causal powers that, when exercised, make the outcome possible. Human agents exercise causal powers, which connects theorizing to the things that human agents do (activist causation) rather than to what conditions, configurations or mechanisms do (passivist causation). Activist causation better suits causal explanation because human agency is the effective cause of all outcomes in social reality.