Synopses & Reviews
The period from 1890 to 1933 can be viewed as a time of crisis, especially in Germany. These years witnessed the transformative force of rapid industrialization, the resultant growth of an active socialist movement, a world war, major economic dislocations of inflation and depression, political turmoil including the emergence of fascism, and continuous failure in international relations. The period was also seminal for the discipline of sociology, when some of its greatest practitioners addressed this crisis. Alfred Weber, brother of Max and mentor of Karl Mannheim, was an important participant in the dialogue over the political and cultural crises of the late Empire and Weimar Republic. In response to these crises he developed one of the earliest versions of the sociology of culture and attempted to apply it to the political arena. He also developed an important theory of the locations of industry. This study connects Weber's career to the social, political, intellectual, cultural, and institutional contexts of the period.
Synopsis
Alfred Weber was an important participant in the dialogue over the political and cultural crises of the late Empire and Weimar Republic. This study connects Weber's career to the social, political, intellectual, cultural, and institutional contexts of the period.
Synopsis
Alfred Weber, brother of Max and mentor of Karl Mannheim, was an important participant in the dialogue over the political and cultural crises of the late Empire and Weimar Republic. In response to these crises he developed one of the earliest versions of the sociology of culture and attempted to apply it to the political arena. This definitive study connects Weber's career to the social, political, intellectual, cultural, and institutional contexts of the period, making a long overdue contribution to the history of social science.
About the Author
Colin Loader is a professor of History at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has written primarily on the history of German sociology. He is the author of The Intellectual Development of Karl Mannheim, and is the co-author or co-translator of three other books on Mannheim.