Max Weber (1864-1920)

1. studied the characteristics of modern life Saw the modern world in terms of rational achievements the loss of the human spirit Max Weber (1864-1920)

2. Rationalization – An increasing, long-range tendency in all areas of life to replace the mystical, the subjective, and the sentimental with the logical, the objective, and the scientific. Max Weber (1864-1920)

3. Rationalization (examples) greater value on rational thinking than on intuition higher salaries of scientists, in contrast to artists structure of modern organizations Max Weber (1864-1920)

4. Bureaucracy prime example of rationalization A form of social structure that aims to use people and resources rationally and efficiently Max Weber (1864-1920)

5. Bureaucracy Specialization of tasks and division of labor Formal system of rules/procedures Written documentation kept in files Clearly defined structure of authority (hierarchy) Max Weber (1864-1920)

6. Bureaucracy Specialized administrative staff (maintains records and communication) Impersonal orientation toward clients and employees Career employment Max Weber (1864-1920)

7. Research Methodology – Social sciences are different from the natural sciences study human beings, not objects require their own method May be pursued with passion Max Weber (1864-1920)

8. Research Methodology – Verstehen (“to understand”) Sympathetic understanding Viewing a situation from the viewpoint of the actor within it Subjective approach, but rational and systematic Max Weber (1864-1920)

9. Differed from Durkheim Less concerned with objectivity than with understanding the meaningof social phenomena to the individuals experiencing them Greater emphasis on viewing social structures historically than on examining their present functions Max Weber (1864-1920)

10. Differed from Marx Emphasized the role of ideas in generating social structures (Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism) Saw social class as one kind of inequality, in addition to status and power Max Weber (1864-1920)

11. Class an economic category related to life chances determined by market factors Power Ability to get one’s way with others, even against their will May be determined by economics or political party Max Weber (1864-1920)

12. Status social honor different from individual respect earned by personal qualities – given on the basis of position may be related to occupation may be used to explain ethnic or racial discrimination Max Weber (1864-1920)

13. Forms of Authority traditional by heredity (king) rational-legal tied to position (bureaucrat) charismatic derived from personality of leader emerges in a time of crisis (economic, political, moral) Max Weber (1864-1920)

14. Protestant Ethic Demostrates how ideas derived from a religion (Calvinism) influenced development of an economic system (Capitalism) Predestination Virtues of the elect (hard work, thrift, honesty, punctuality, self-control) Reinvestment of profits Utilitarian motive Max Weber (1864-1920)

15. Protestant Ethic emphasizes ideas does not exclude material factors forms part of a larger sociology of religion that includes analysis of social class in relation to belief Max Weber (1864-1920)

16. Summary – Characteristics of Weber’s work A profound humanism (concern over loss of the human spirit) Strong sense of history (studying structures in process) Passion for knowledge – thorough Max Weber (1864-1920)

17. Summary – theme of rationalization Verstehen – understanding; an attempt to make sense of the world Rounding out of dialectical materialism Emphasis on role of ideas Broader class analysis Max Weber (1864-1920)