Dis-embalming Max Weber

by Pertti Ahonen

Max Weber was a 'decathlonist' of the human sciences. Today he has a reputation of a first rank classic in several academic fields. If we imagine, however, Weber resurging from his grave today, he would not recognize himself in the textbook-Weber or in the popular use of Weberian formulas, such as charisma or rationality. The Weber studies in two recent decades have 'dis-embalmed' Weber from the ex post-classifications, such as sociologist or theorist of bureaucracy. Weber's political and intellectual context, the specific points he intended to make and his tacit but systematic revisions of central concepts are given a closer attention. Contemporary scholars can use their freedom of imagination to construct new perspectives on Weber's work. This volume illustrates some trends in newer Weber studies. A number of scholars with different backgrounds, working especially in the fields political and administration studies, construct their own modes of reading Weber. Some of them 'deconstruct' the received views, others, rather, take a fresh look to some Weberian concepts and problems.

170 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1999