Max Weber's Economy and Society is widely considered the most important single work in sociology and among the most important in the history of the social sciences. This volume provides a critical and up-to-date introduction to Weber's magnum opus. While much has been published about the various parts of Economy and Society, this is the first book to cover all of its major sections and themes, as well as to discuss the methodological vision that unites them. In Max Weber's Economy and Society, a distinguished group of scholars illuminates the central arguments of Economy and Society and appraises their contemporary relevance for the analysis of the economy, the polity, law, religion, and social action. With essays that are both theoretical and empirical, this book will be of interest to those already familiar with Weber's work and to those encountering it for the first time.
Charles Camic is Martindale-Bascom Professor of Sociology, Philip S. Gorski is Professor of Sociology, and David M. Trubek is Voss-Bascom Professor of Law and Director of the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Contents Introduction Charles Camic, Philip S. Gorski, and David M. Trubek Part I. Contextual and Textual Background 1. Max Weber, Scion of the Cosmopolitan Bourgeoisie: Historical Context and Present-Day Relevance Guenther Roth 2. Economy and Society and the Revision of Weber's Ethics Harvey Goldman 3. Max Weber's "Grand Sociology": The Origins and Composition of Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft. Soziologie Wolfgang J. Mommsen Part II. The Textual Core Theory and methods 4. The Unmet Challenge of Weber's Theory of Rational Action Donald Levine The economy 5. Max Weber's Economic Sociology Richard Swedberg Politics 6. Democracy, Domination and Legitimacy in Max Weber's Political Thought Regina Titunik Religion 7. Religious Communities as Vehicles of Meaning in Social Interaction: The "Sociology of Religion" Section of Economy and Society Hans G. Kippenberg Part III. Critical Perspectives Theory and methods 8. Beyond Weberian Action Theory of Action Mustafa Emirbayer The economy 9. The Shadow of Exploitation in Weber's Class Analysis Erik Olin Wright Politics 10. The Rule of the Father: Patriarchy and Patrimonalism in Early Modern Europe Julia Adams Politics and religion 11. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Bureaucracy: Ascetic Protestantism and Political Rationalism in Early Modern Europe Philip S. Gorski Politics 12. Weber and the Sociology of Revolution Randall Collins Theory and law 13. The Disenchantment of Logically Formal Legal Rationality Duncan Kennedy Religion 14. The Charisma of Human Rights Hans Joas Index Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication: Weber, Max, 1864-1920, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, English, Sociology, Economics Sociological aspects
"This book provides an indispensable introduction to Weber's Economy and Society, and should be mandatory reading for social scientists who are interested in Weber. The various contributions to this volume, all written by important Weberian scholars, present the culmination of decades of debates about Weber's various concepts and theories. They are sure guides in the maze of conflicting interpretations, and draw out the implications of Weber's sociology for understanding social change in the 21st century." - Gil Eyal, Columbia University "Many will value this as the best collection of essays on Max Weber in the English language. It surpasses prior studies in using Weber and the world of his endeavors as entry points into the central issues of social science today." - Richard Biernacki, University of California, San Diego "This book provides an indispensable introduction to Weber's Economy and Society, and should be mandatory reading for social scientists who are interested in Weber." - Gil Eyal, Columbia University "...an admirably helpful and user-friendly guide..." - Canadian Journal of Sociology Online "The Critical Companion is the best existing title in English to outline the many issues under discussion in the sprawling Economy and Society." - H-Net Reviews
