Webers theory of society

From Geography

Webers theory of Soiety is strongly linked with his Theory of Man. With the use of his Ideal Types, constructed in Weber's Theory of Man, his goal was to use his analyses of goal-rational, value-rational, affective and traditional action as the building blocks of society in terms of ideal types of social interactions and social groupings. His objective is to create a set of formal concepts which will enable him to organize empirical research to better understand the distinctive characterestics of modern society (Campbell, 1981). His main interest is to contrast traditional and rational types of society. To investigate these issues he develops ideal types of certain types of phenomena such as bureacracy and capitalism, which both are reducible to meaningful patterns of interactions between individuals.

These social interactions play a big role in his Theory of Society. The unit which carries social meaningfulness is the 'social relationship'. This term is used by Weber to show the actions that are made by someone takes account the other person or persons in the social relationship.

Social relationships are analysed into three forms:

• Conflict

Form of a social relationship whereby action 'is oriented intentionally to carrying out the actor's own will against the resistance of the other party or parties'. (Campbell,1981)

• Community

Form a social relationship whereby the relationship is based on a subjective feeling, whether affectual of traditional, that they belong together. (Campbell,1981)

• Association

Form of a social relationship whereby the social action is motivated by a similarly motivated agreement or a rationally motivated adjustments of interests. (Campbell,1981)

It is considered that actual social relationships involve some combination of these three ideal types.

To conclude the theory a idea of valid norms or legitimate order is fundamental for Weber's theory. Hereby Weber outlines three ideal types of legitimate order or authoriy.

• Traditional

People feel loyal to rules made in the past and to people who represent those.

• Charismatic

Reverence for military or religious leaders is an example of this. This type of order consists of charismatic qualities of a single person, whereby people abide the rules.

• Legal

The rules are considered 'legal' and are accepted, 'the rules are formal correct and have been imposed by an accepted procedure' (Campbell ,1981)

With the use of, in total 6 elements, Weber is able to construct historically concrete societies with the use of various sort of social groupings which are made by combining these 6 elements.

• Constructed by Paul van den Hogen --PaulHogen 17:10, 10 September 2012 (CEST)