Weber: A Short Introduction / Edition 1

by Gianfranco Poggi

Overview

In this short and accessible introductory text, Gianfrano Poggi offers a masterly account of the most important themes in Webers writings. Assuming no previous knowledge of Webers work, the book focuses on his conception of sociology, social process, religion, and the genesis and nature of the modern state.

This is Poggi at his very best. His account is authorative, but unpretentious, intellectually sophisticated, but still highly readable. As such, this highly perceptive book is bound to become an indispensable guide to Webers key ideas, suitable for use by anyone requiring a concise and yet scholarly introduction to Webers work, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780745634906
Publisher:	Polity Press
Publication date:	03/24/2006
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	152
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Gianfranco Poggi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Trento, Italy

Table of Contents

Preface vii

1 The Man and His Work 1

2 Questions of Method 17

3 Weber’s Conception of the Socio-Historical Process 36

4 The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism 59

5 Other Essays in the Sociology of Religion 75

6 Political Power and Legitimacy 89

7 The State and Bureaucracy 105

Select Bibliography 127

Index 131

Editorial Reviews

"Among hundreds of books that treat Weber, Poggi's is the bestbrief treatment. It is compact, precise, elegantly composed, yetmanages to hit all the vital highspots with authority and clarity.Any eager student who reads this book will have been escortedthrough the rocky terrain of Weber's works by a veteran teacher,and a fine scholar whose sense of Weber's achievement is exact andilluminating."

Alan Sica, Professor of Sociology, Pennsylvania StateUniversity

"With this book, the reader gets two in one. It is one of thebest introductions into Max Weber’s sociology and socialtheory. It is at the height of current Weber interpretation, but atthe same time it is clear and concise and avoids all jargon. And itis vintage Poggi, bearing the mark of great erudition and speakingwith an authoritative voice on central issues of the sociologicaltradition that current sociology sometimes forgets: the analysis oflong-term social processes; the relation between civilization,religion and the economy; and the legitimacy of the modernstate."

Peter Wagner, Professor of Social and Political Theory,European University Institute, Florence, and Professor ofSociology, University of Warwick

From the Publisher