We present a general formalism able to derive the kinetic equations ofpolymer dynamics. It is based on the application of nonequilibriumthermodynamics to analyze the irreversible processes taking place in theconformational space of the macromolecules. The Smoluchowski equation resultsfrom the analysis of the underlying diffusion process in that space within thescheme of nonequilibrium thermodynamics. We apply the method to differentsituations, concerning flexible, semiflexible and rod-like polymers and to thecase of more concentrated solutions in which interactions become important.