The writings of Max Weber (1864-1920) contain one of the most
fascinating and sophisticated attempts ever made to create an economic
sociology. Economic sociologist and Weber scholar Richard Swedberg has
selected the most important of Weber's enormous body of writings on the
topic, making these available for the first time in a single volume. The
central themes around which the anthology is organized are modern
capitalism and its relationships to politics, to law, and to culture and
religion; a special section is devoted to theoretical aspects of
economic sociology. Swedberg provides a valuable introduction
illuminating biographical and intellectual dimensions of Weber's work in
economic sociology, as well as a glossary defining key concepts in
Weber's work in the field and a bibliographical guide to this corpus.
Weber's substantive views on economic sociology are represented in this
volume through crucial excerpts from works such as his General Economic
History and The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, but
the reader can follow his attempt to construct a conceptual foundation
for economic sociology in Economy and Society as well*.* Also included
is Weber's celebrated inaugural lecture, "The Freiburg Address," along
with a number of central but hitherto inaccessible writings. Though
written nearly a century ago, Weber's work has the quality of a true
classic, and the reader will find many ideas in his writings on economic
topics that remain applicable in today's world. These include Weber's
discussion of what is now called social capital, his analysis of the
institutions needed for a well-functioning capitalist economy, and his
more general attempt to introduce social structure into economic
analysis. As this volume demonstrates, what basically motivated Weber to
work with economic sociology was a realization shared by many economists
and sociologists today: that the analysis of economic phenomena must
include an understanding of the social dimension. Guided by volume
editor Swedberg, the reader of this anthology discovers the significance
and the enduring relevance of Weber's contribution to economic
sociology.
