1. Max Weber (1864-1920) Born into middle-class family in Germany Father and Mother BA to PhD (Law, Economics, History) Workaholic? Sundays at Max and Marrianne’s

2. Sociology to Weber “Sociology…is a science concerning itself with the interpretive understanding of social action and thereby with a causal explanation of its course and consequences.” –Max Weber (1920)

3. Major Concepts I Verstehen Ideal Types Values Social Action Class, Status, and Party

4. Major Concepts II Bureaucracy Authority Rationality Iron Cage Spirit of Capitalism and Religion

5. Ideal-Typical Bureaucracy Organization of official functions (offices) Each office is specialized Organized into hierarchy Rules are put in writing Staff does not own the means of production

6. Readings for Today Ben Franklin and the Iron Cage! The Spirit of Capitalism