Organised by Colin MacCabe and Francis Gooding

Summer Term 2006

The purpose of the reading group is to introduce some of Weber’s ideas about politics, education, social science and power. Of the sociological ‘big three’ – Marx, Durkheim and Weber himself – it is arguably the writing of Weber that seems least dated. His observations about the structures of power and domination remain timely, and his analyses of political structures still find resonance in current events. The four sessions will not be dealing with his monumental study of religious factors in economic development (The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism of course being the most well-known element of the vast cycle he had projected), but will instead focus on shorter works – the two well-known ‘Vocation’ essays, a short essay on charismatic authority, and the introductory chapter of his immense, incomplete masterpiece, ‘Economy and Society’, in which he defines the terms of his sociological vision. It should be stressed that this is an exploratory and investigative reading group, not a lecture series, and so the readings are essential.

Week One (Tuesday 20th June)
‘Science as a Vocation’

Week Two (Thursday 22nd June)
‘Politics as a Vocation’

Week Three (Tuesday 27th June)
‘The Sociology of Charismatic Authority’

Week Four (Thursday 29th June)
Chapter 1 of ‘Economy and Society’, vol.1