Max Weber's Comparative-historical Sociology Today : Major Themes, Mode of Causal Analysis, and Applications (Paperback)

Contents: Introduction; Part I Reconstructing Major Themes: Introduction; Max Weber's types of rationality: cornerstones for the analysis of Rationalization processes in history; Should the 'dynamic autonomy' of ideas matter to sociologists?; Max Weber on the origin of other-worldly salvation religions and the constitution of groups in American society today; The past and present influence of world views: Max Weber on a neglected sociological concept. Part II Weber's Mode of Causal Analysis: Introduction; The perpetual and tight interweaving of past and present in Max Weber's sociology; Macro comparisons: precautions, possibilities, achievements and limitations; The theoretical framework and causal methodology. Part III Reconstructing Significant Developments from Weber's Oeuvre: the Rise and Expansion of Confucianism, the Caste System, and Monotheism: Introduction; The rise and expansion of Confucianism in China; The rise and expansion of the caste system in India; The rise and expansion of monotheism in ancient Israel. Part IV Utilizing Weber I: the Importance of Deep Culture: Introduction: The legacies of ascetic Protestantism and American uniqueness: the political culture of the United States; The cultural foundations of modern citizenship. Part V Utilizing Weber II: Multi-Causal and Contextual-Conjectural Analysis: Introduction; The origin and expansion of Kulturpessimismus: the relationship between public and private spheres in early 20th-century Germany; Culture and the location of work in contemporary Western Germany: a Weberian configurational and comparative analysis. Part VI Conclusion: Bringing Weber Back In: Appendices; References; Index.