The Max Weber Dictionary: Key Words and Central Concepts by Richard Swedberg (review)

Abstract

Book Reviews 127 editors provide a thorough elucidation of the meaning and value of science, the process of 'disenschantment' [Entzauberung], the bureaucratization of politics and the world, as well as noting other key Weberian themes. A brief discussion, however, of Weber's difficult style would have been in order. In the suggestions for further reading, Marianne Weber's biography is listed, but not the later (1988) reprint with Günther Roth's introduction, yet no reference to important recent studies such as Sven Eliaeson, Max Weber's Methodologies (Oxford: Polity Press, 2002), or Nicholas Gane, Max Weber and Postmodern Theory: Rationalization versus Re-enchantment (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2002), and there are a few minor mistakes concerning the publication dates of the second edition of, for example, David Beetham's study of Max Weber and the Theory of Modern Politics (Oxford: Polity Press, 1985). Finally, from the Introduction to the name index Jaffé is written without the diacritical marks. Unfortunately, the two vocations are neither related conceptually, nor in the person of Max Weber. Weber regarded passion as a prerequisite for both vocations. Some of the other prerequisites may not be as mutually exclusive as Weber appeared to believe, despite his sharp differentiation between them when he wrote that 'the qualities that make someone an outstanding scholar and academic teacher are not those that create leaders in practical life or, more specifically, in politics' (p. 25). In view of what he says about the poor material conditions of and the risks involved in the vocation of science and an increasingly bureaucratized and under-funded academic system, what applies to politics may also be said to apply to a calling for science; that is, the only one who has it is the one who can 'still say "Neverthe less!" despite everything' (p. 94). There is only a brief mention of Weber's political activities (p. xi), and a footnote reference to his writings on higher education (p. xxii). Although ambivalent at times, Weber was both an academic and a political activist, and if Karl Jaspers was right, as it appears to be, he was ready for high political office, but only if called (Karl Jaspers, Max Weber: Gesammelte Schriften [introduction D. Henrich; Munich: Piper, 1988], p. 67). These differences of opinion aside, however, overall this is a highly readable translation of Weber's two most famous essays, and provides a good exposition of their major themes. John Dreijmanis Colchester John Dreijmanis Richard Swedberg, The Max Weber Dictionary: Key Words and Central Concepts (Stan ford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2005), pp. 360. ISBN 0-8047-5095-5 (pbk), 0-8047 5094-7 (hbk). $US 55.00 (hbk) and $US 22.95 (pbk). I must declare my interest at the outset. The author thanks me in the acknowledge ments, I am referred to with approval in his introduction and quoted liberally in the entries, one of which I even suggested to him. Legally, therefore, I am no doubt disqualified as a reviewer. I nevertheless hope that I shall be able to preserve the necessary objectivity. The corpus of Weber's work is immense, and the secondary literature over whelming, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Against this background, a com prehensive and reliable Weber Dictionary will therefore be more than welcome. But for the same reason, it is a daunting undertaking, and one well understands that Richard Swedberg, though extremely well qualified for the task, has felt the need to associate a young Weber scholar, Ola AgevaU, with the project.© Max Weber Studies 2007. 128 Max Weber Studies Swedberg does not make life easy for himself: the intended target group of the Dictionary is large, including not only the 'general reader' with basic needs, but also the 'tired teacher' in search of a quick fix, but at a fairly high level of expertise. This wide spread is reflected in the range of entries. As the subtitle implies, the Diction ary is meant to cover 'central concepts' (those 'typically associated with Weber's name', such as 'charisma' and 'domination') and 'key words' (defined by Swedberg as 'topics which Weber interpreted and recast in an innovative manner'). But we are also promised entries on 'uncommon terms that Weber uses...