Modernity & Rationality- Modernity & Rationality- WEBER begins the analysisWEBER begins the analysis

MODERNITY:MODERNITY:1.1. Used to describe a particular period of Used to describe a particular period of

European history through to now.European history through to now.

2.2. Used to refer to sociological characteristics of Used to refer to sociological characteristics of this society as it developed.this society as it developed.

3.3. Used to refer to development of societies, Used to refer to development of societies, 1.1. (e.g., “modern Saudi Arabia”)(e.g., “modern Saudi Arabia”)2.2. As in “modernization is a good thing; As in “modernization is a good thing;

countries want to modernize.”countries want to modernize.”

4.4. Used to refer to ways of Used to refer to ways of thinking/beingthinking/being that that developed in concert with the societal developed in concert with the societal characteristics over that period of history.characteristics over that period of history.

Modernity... Modernity... worldview dimensionsworldview dimensions

Like Durkheim, Weber is trying to Explain the great Transition – into the Modern

Rationalization– The Modern mythos: (sacred story, creed)

All is explainable by the means of reason. All action proceeds by formal rationality.

Ergo: Exuberant Humanism– There is nothing we cannot know.– There is nothing we cannot do. – But there is no enchantment in the world.

Weber (1864-1920)Weber (1864-1920)

German SociologistGerman Sociologist Married to Marianne WeberMarried to Marianne Weber RationalizationRationalization of modern societies. of modern societies. Sociology to discover and interpret Sociology to discover and interpret

meaning (vmeaning (verstehenerstehen) of ) of social social actionaction. .

Major works:Major works:– Sociology of ReligionSociology of Religion– The Protestant Ethic & the Spirit of The Protestant Ethic & the Spirit of

Capitalism.Capitalism.– Economy and SocietyEconomy and Society

Weber –his “Method”Weber –his “Method”

VerstehenVerstehen – subjective meaning of – subjective meaning of social action – understanding social action – understanding behaviour from THEIR perspectivebehaviour from THEIR perspective– Anti-positivism Anti-positivism

Ideal types Ideal types is a useful technique.is a useful technique.

Social Science should be Social Science should be Values-freeValues-free

VerstehenVerstehen

Understanding people (from their own Understanding people (from their own perspective!)perspective!)

IF people’s behaviour is based on their IF people’s behaviour is based on their own reasons/meaning – we are not own reasons/meaning – we are not automatons.automatons.

If we are not automatons, on what basis If we are not automatons, on what basis do we act?do we act?

Implications:Implications:– People act.People act.– Social Scientists study patterns, not `laws`Social Scientists study patterns, not `laws`– Both Agency AND Structure Both Agency AND Structure

RationalityRationality RationalityRationality

– An orientation to reality which weighs up the An orientation to reality which weighs up the means and ends of action in a means and ends of action in a straightforward and pragmatic manner.straightforward and pragmatic manner.

– ON WHAT BASIS DO WE DO THIS ON WHAT BASIS DO WE DO THIS “calculation”?“calculation”?

4 types of Rationality4 types of Rationality1.1. Practical Rationality – “commonsense”, Practical Rationality – “commonsense”,

everyday, just going through via “habit”everyday, just going through via “habit”– Therefore, ROUTINIZATIONTherefore, ROUTINIZATION

2.2. Theoretical Rationality – attain cognitive Theoretical Rationality – attain cognitive knowledge of the world; abstract knowledgeknowledge of the world; abstract knowledge

RationalityRationality

ON WHAT BASIS DO WE DO THIS “calculation”?ON WHAT BASIS DO WE DO THIS “calculation”?3.3. Substantive Rationality – the “substance” of Substantive Rationality – the “substance” of

decision-making is based on Values, not decision-making is based on Values, not outcomes. outcomes.

4.4. Formal Rationality – Formal Rationality – application of technical application of technical criteria; based on rules, procedures, criteria; based on rules, procedures, application of analytic tools.application of analytic tools.

Weber: formal rationality had replaced substantive Weber: formal rationality had replaced substantive rationality, because bureaucracy stresses a rationality, because bureaucracy stresses a technical orientation to means and ends.technical orientation to means and ends.

Formal Rationality is solely Western. A fct of Formal Rationality is solely Western. A fct of Industrialization. The Hallmark of Modernity. Industrialization. The Hallmark of Modernity.

Weber as a “theorist of Modernity”Weber as a “theorist of Modernity”and a theorist of Capitalismand a theorist of Capitalism

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Capitalism.

Ironically, Protestantism reduced Ironically, Protestantism reduced substantive rationality and generated substantive rationality and generated formal rationality! formal rationality!

See diagram…See diagram…

Modernity: Modernity: Sociologically Sociologically characterized by….characterized by….

Secularization Individualism (e.g., “human rights”) Specialization of Labour (experts) National/centralized community and

structure Mass society

– Popular culture– Mass media

Rational planning Capitalism and the treadmill of production?