Culture in network breaks: Tie dissolution as a vehicle of justice

•A novel perspective for integrating culture and networks is developed.•The “broken tie” is explored empirically and theoretically as a type of negative tie.•A distinction between “natural” and “moral” tie dissolution is presented.•“Broken ties” reveal an epistemics of relationship trajectory.•“Broken ties” reveal grammars of justice. Tie dissolution in non-romantic relations is commonly understood as a structural process. This article challenges this prevailing view by tracing agency behind dynamics of disassociation. It distinguishes between “natural” and “moral” tie dissolution and explores the “broken tie”, as a former positive tie turned negative, theoretically and empirically. Data comes from an interview and survey study with 41 respondents with first-hand experience of network change during the transformation from Communist-ruled East Germany to reunified German market society after 1989. A key finding is that accounts of broken ties may be a vehicle to express beliefs about justice in society. Examining breaks in strong ties allows to integrate culture and networks in fruitful ways.