Comparative History in Sociological Writings of Max Weber

Abstract

There have been several contentions, characterisations and controversies over Max Weber’s treatment of history in his sociological writings both during his lifetime and after him as well. While some contest his contentions, others doubt the type of English translations made of his German writings. There is a need to take stock of and consolidate the sociologically relevant historical writings of Max Weber in proper perspective. The article raises the following two issues: (a) How can the claim be justified that Max Weber is one of the users of the comparative historical approach rather than one belonging to those using the evolutionary historical approach? (b) What are the specialities of his treatment of history in his methodology and substantive works? It is the specific intention of this article to consolidate the historical materials in the sociological writings of Weber so as to reconstruct his comparative historical approach as against positivist evolutionary history.