"An Army of Civil Servants": Max Weber and Émile Durkheim on socialism

Dawson, M. (2016) "An Army of Civil Servants": Max Weber and Émile Durkheim on socialism. Journal of Historical Sociology, 29(4), pp. 525-549. (doi: 10.1111/johs.12088)

[img]
Preview
Text
94703.pdf - Accepted Version

219kB

Abstract

This paper is a comparison of the views of Max Weber and Émile Durkheim on socialism; these two have yet to be compared on this topic. They offered shared critiques of socialism, but differed in assessment of its overall worth, with Durkheim being more welcoming. After considering possible explanations for this divergence I argue it reflects the contrasting methodologies adopted by both. Whilst Weber places questions of the ‘value’ of socialism solely in the conscious of the individual, and therefore beyond sociology, Durkheim sees this as a social question and therefore part of the practical concerns of sociologists.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dawson, Professor Matt
Authors: Dawson, M.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Historical Sociology
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0952-1909
ISSN (Online):1467-6443
Published Online:17 December 2014
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.
First Published:First published in Journal of Historical Sociology 29(4): 525-549
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record