Max Weber Readings And Commentary On Modernity

This unique volume gathers Weber's writings on a broad array of themes, from the nature of work, to the political culture of democracy, to the uniqueness of the West, to the character of the family and race relations, to the role of science and the fate of ethical action in the modern world. Gathers Weber's writings in a comprehensive collection, organized by topic. Rejuvenates a central, pivotal theme of Weberian thought: "How do we live?" and "How can we live in the industrial society?" Connects Weber's writings to contemporary issues through modern essays and editorial introductions.

Stephen Kalberg is Associate Professor of Sociology at Boston University and one of the world's leading Weber scholars. He is the author of Max Weber's Comparative Historical Sociology (1993) and translator and editor of a new edition of Weber's Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Blackwell, 2001).

General Editor's Foreword

xi

Chronology of Max Weber's Life

xv

Glossary

xxi

Acknowledgments

xxxi

Introduction -- Max Weber: The Confrontation with Modernity

1

(6)

Stephen Kalberg

Max Weber: The Man

7

(1)

Foundational Features of Weber's Interpretive Understanding Sociology

8

(6)

Research Strategies and Procedures

14

(5)

The Vision of ``Society''

19

(3)

Weber's Multicausality

22

(5)

Modern Western Rationalism I: Weber's Model

27

(3)

Modern Western Rationalism II: Empirical Variation

30

(4)

Fears about the Future and Proposals for Social Change

34

(3)

Weber on Modernity and Weber's Sociology: An Assessment

37

(4)

Notes

41

(8)

Part I The Uniqueness of the West

49

(20)

Introduction

49

(4)

The ``Rationalism'' of Western Civilization

53

(16)

From ``Prefatory Remarks'' to Collected Essays on the Sociology of Religion

53

(11)

From The Religion of India

64

(1)

From Economy and Society

65

(4)

Part II The Uniqueness and Origins of the Modern Western Work Ethic

69

(52)

Introduction

69

(6)

The Religious Origins of the Vocational Calling: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

75

(36)

From The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

75

(32)

From ``Discussion Contributions''

107

(1)

From ``On the Psychological Physics of Industrial Work''

108

(3)

Continuous Ethical Discipline

111

(10)

From ``The Protestant Sects and the Spirit of Capitalism''

111

(10)

Part III The Economy, the Workplace, and the Specialized Nature of Work in the Modern Epoch

121

(26)

Introduction

121

(4)

Market and Planned Economies: Modern Capitalism's Substantive Conditions

125

(5)

From Economy and Society

125

(5)

The Separation of the Worker from the Means of Production, the Spread of Officialdom, and Organizational Discipline in the Factory

130

(7)

From ``Socialism''

130

(4)

From ``A Research Strategy for the Study of Occupational Careers and Mobility Patterns''

134

(1)

From Economy and Society

135

(2)

The ``Specialist'' and the ``Cultivated Man'': Certificates and the Origin of Ideas in Science

137

(5)

From Economy and Society

137

(2)

From ``Science as a Vocation''

139

(3)

Old and New Civilizations: Contrasting Rural Social Structures in Germany and the United States

142

(5)

From ``Capitalism and Rural Society in Germany''

142

(5)

Part IV Stratification and Inequality

147

(26)

Introduction

147

(4)

The Distribution of Power Within the Group: Class, Status, Party

151

(12)

From Economy and Society

151

(12)

Germany as a Nation of Commoners

163

(5)

From ``National Character and the Junkers''

163

(5)

The Counterbalancing of Economic and Social Inequality by Universal Suffrage

168

(5)

From ``Suffrage and Democracy in Germany''

168

(5)

Part V Authority in the Modern Epoch

173

(48)

Introduction

173

(6)

Power and Authority: When and Why Do People Obey?

179

(15)

From Economy and Society

179

(15)

The Bureaucracy I: External Form, Technical Superiority, Ethos, and Inequality

194

(15)

From Economy and Society

194

(4)

From ``The Social Psychology of the World Religions''

198

(1)

From Economy and Society

198

(11)

The Bureaucracy II: The Impact upon Society

209

(8)

From Economy and Society

209

(8)

Past and Present: Charismatic Authority and its Routinization

217

(4)

From ``The Social Psychology of the World Religions''

217

(1)

From Economy and Society

218

(2)

From ``The Social Psychology of the World Religions''

220

(1)

Part VI The Nation, the Modern State, and Modern Law

221

(24)

Introduction

221

(4)

The Nation: A Sentiment of Solidarity and the ``National'' Idea

225

(5)

From Economy and Society

225

(5)

The State, its Basic Functions, and the Economic Foundations of Imperialism

230

(8)

From Economy and Society

230

(8)

From Particularistic Law to Formal Legal Equality and the Rights of Individuals

238

(7)

From Economy and Society

238

(7)

Part VII The Circumscription of Ethical Action Today and Weber's Response

245

(28)

Introduction

245

(6)

The Antagonism of the Economy and Political Domains to Ethical Action

251

(4)

From Economy and Society

251

(2)

From ``Religious Rejections of the World and Their Directions''

253

(2)

A ``Casing of Bondage'' and the Rule of Functionaries: The Call for Political Leadership, Strong Parliaments, and an Ethic of Responsibility

255

(18)

From Economy and Society

255

(2)

From ``Politics as a Vocation''

257

(3)

From Economy and Society

260

(2)

From ``Suffrage and Democracy in Germany''

262

(3)

From ``Politics as a Vocation''

265

(8)

Part VIII The Political Culture of American Democracy: the Influence of the ``Sect Spirit''

273

(18)

Introduction

273

(4)

The Autonomy of the Individual in the Sect and the Ability to Form Democratic Communities: Tolerance and Freedom of Conscience

277

(14)

From The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

277

(3)

From Economy and Society

280

(1)

From The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

280

(2)

From Economy and Society

282

(2)

From ``'Churches' and `Sects' in North America''

284

(3)

From Economy and Society

287

(1)

From ``'Churches' and `Sects' in North America''

287

(1)

From The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

288

(3)

Part IX On ``Race,'' the Complexity of the Concept of Ethnicity, and Heredity

291

(24)

Introduction

291

(6)

On ``Race'' Membership, Common Ethnicity, the ``Ethnic Group,'' and Heredity

297

(18)

From Economy and Society

297

(9)

From ``Comment on the Lecture by Alfred Ploetz''

306

(8)

From ``Prefatory Remarks'' to Collected Essays on the Sociology of Religion

314

(1)

Part X The Meaning, Value, and Value-Freedom of Science: ``Science as a Vocation'' and Other Writings

315

(30)

Introduction

315

(6)

The Meaning and Value of Science: Disenchantment, ``Progress,'' and Civilized Man's Meaninglessness

321

(7)

From ``Science as a Vocation''

321

(7)

Ethical Neutrality in the Classroom and the Usefulness and Limits of an Empirical Science

328

(9)

From ``Science as a Vocation''

328

(7)

From ``Debate Commentary''

335

(2)

The Opposition of Salvation Religions to Science and Modern Culture

337

(8)

From ``Science as a Vocation''

337

(3)

From ``Religious Rejections of the World and Their Directions''

340

(5)

Part XI Modern Reading

345

(32)

Introduction

345

(2)

Private Authority and Work Habits: England and Russia

347

(6)

Reinhard Bendix

The Data Protection Act: A Case of Rationalization

353

(4)

Martin Albrow

The McDonaldization of Society

357

(4)

George Ritzer

Hitler's Charisma

361

(2)

Luciano Cavalli

The Routinization of Charisma: Rituals of Confession within Communities of Virtuosi

363

(4)

Hans-Georg Riegl

The Political Culture of American Democracy: The Enduring Influence of Religion

367

(10)

Seymour Martin Lipset

Bibliography

377

(6)

Author Index

383

(2)

Subject Index

385

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Max Weber Readings And Commentary On Modernity

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials