Max Weber: A Critical Introduction

by Kieran Allen

Max Weber is one of the founding fathers of sociology. He is often referred to as a sophisticated 'value-free' sociologist. This new critical introduction argues that Weber’s sociology cannot be divorced from his political standpoint. Weber saw himself as a ‘class conscious bourgeois’ and his sociology reflects this outlook. Providing clear summaries of Weber's ideas – concentrating on the themes most often encountered on sociology courses – Kieran Allen provides a lively introduction to this key thinker. Kieran Allen explores Weber's political background through his life and his writing. Weber was a neo-liberal who thought that the market guaranteed efficiency and rationality. He was an advocate of empire. He supported the carnage of WW1 and vehemently attacked German socialists such as Rosa Luxemburg. Weber’s most famous book, The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, ignores the bloody legacy associated with the early accumulation of capital. Instead, he locates the origins of the system in a new rigorous morality. Using a political framework, Kieran Allen's book is is ideal for students who want to develop a critical approach.

Genres: Sociology, Philosophy

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2004

Reviews

[Danlin Zhang]

This book serves well its role as a critical introduction -- but perhaps a bit excessively critical, leaving the book less balanced between criticism and introduction to Weber's thoughts. Plus its criticism leans way too much to the Marxist pole -- the book cries out "Weber is wrong because he's not a Marxist" -- which I really do think does little justice to Weber's scrutiny and complexion that the book acknowledges.

[Lientur Alkaman Kurüfilu]

Aporta como introduccion teórica. Pero sus principales fuertes están en el contexto histórico de Weber

[Anand Gopal]

A critique of Weber from a Marxist perspective. Allen appraises Weber's ideas with respect to Marx and situates him as an arch-nationalist and liberal market fundamentalist. What's particularly damning is Weber's strident racism and notions of white/German supremacy, which comes through most clearly in his works on India and China. Worth a read to get a fuller picture of Weber and his ideas.

[Skye]

Picked this off the shelves of the Central Library. Need some ideas for my new research paper, and this helped to organise some thoughts on Weber. Next up would be to reacquaint myself with Durkheim..

[Brandon Held]

An excellent Marxist interpretation of Weberian theories and ideas, and not at all what I was expecting. After reading, I am very dubious of every using Weber's ideas of bureaucracy/capital production as a theoretical grounding in any of my research again.

[kevin]

This is called "A Critical Introduction", emphasis on Critical. The author ends each chapter with reasons why Weber isn't as objective/accurate/fair as he claims to be.