Max Weber: Readings And Commentary On Modernity

by Stephen Kalberg (Editor), I.j. Cohen

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.

Genres: Sociology

436 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2005

Reviews

[Eric Phetteplace]

Surprised by how much I liked this. I'm used to academic sociology being a terrible read, full of lengthy definitions and turgid prose. Weber's writing is accessible, perhaps because it was too early on in the field or because he didn't see himself as a sociologist. His concept of bureaucracy/rationalization is interesting and does a better job of explaining fascism/authoritarianism than Marx. You can foresee the development of Nazi Germany in much of his commentary and there's even an addendum chapter to that effect. His focus on religion wasn't very interesting, and I found the passages from The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism kind of meretricious, he can't do much other than say "look how these two ideas work well together" with no causal relationship. Then again, he also doesn't overstate his case often, and is one of the few theorists willing to admit multiple causes for developments or that one cause might have helped but not been necessary. All in all, a good read, still feels relevant, and I learned that Weber was the source of the idea "the state has a monopoly on legal violence".

[Yalin]

This book is a good introductory reader for anyone wishing to get started on studying Weber, and his sociological approach.