1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910392735203321

Autore

Kühne Olaf

Titolo

Ralf Dahrendorf : between social theory and political practice  / / by Olaf Kühne, Laura Leonardi

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2020

ISBN

3-030-44297-7

Edizione

[1st ed. 2020.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (282 pages)

Disciplina

301.092

300

Soggetti

Political sociology

Social structure

Equality

Social sciences—Philosophy

Political Sociology

Social Structure, Social Inequality

Social Theory

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di contenuto

1. Introductory Remarks -- 2. Biography Between Social Theory and Political Practice -- 3. Ralf Dahrendorf's Understanding of Science and the Position of Sociology in the Sciences -- 4. Conflict and Society -- 5. Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States -- 6. The 'Annoying Fact of Society': Norms and Roles in Homo Sociologicus -- 7. Individuals and Social Institutions: Contributions to Political Liberalism -- 8. Ligatures, Rights and Opportunities: The Development of Civil Society -- 9. Social Upheavals and the Precarious Conditions of Intellectuals and Domination -- 10. Dahrendorf's Critics and Parallels to Other Liberal Thinkers of the Present Day -- 11. The Topicality of Ralf Dahrendorf: A Conclusion -- 12. Literature. .

Sommario/riassunto

Ralf Dahrendorf (1929 to 2009) has worked in sociology, political practice and political philosophy, and is associated with significant impulses in role theory and conflict theory. This book presents the first synthesis of his extensive oeuvre in English. Dahrendorf's political



commitment was driven largely by his desire to maximize life chances, thus contributing to the further development of liberalism. In the tradition of Karl Popper, his work in all areas was aimed at defending the open society, and he saw conflicts, if they were settled, as being suitable in principle for contributing to social progress. This book provides insights into the various methodological and theoretical aspects and critiques of Ralf Dahrendorf's work, as well as his reflections on the position of sociology in the system of sciences and in relation to political practice. The current crisis of liberal politics has made Dahrendorf’s work more relevant than ever, and this overview will be of great interest to students and researchers across sociology, political science, political ideologies and European integration.