The Theory of Rationalization of Max Weber as a Methodology for Understanding Modern Sociocultural Processes

The Theory of Rationalization of Max Weber as a Methodology for Understanding Modern Sociocultural Processes


Zarubina N.N.

Dr. Sci. (Philos.), Prof., Department of Sociology, MGIMO University, Moscow, Russia n-zarubina@yandex.ru

ID of the Article: 8178


For citation:

Zarubina N.N. The Theory of Rationalization of Max Weber as a Methodology for Understanding Modern Sociocultural Processes. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2020. No 6. P. 3-15




Abstract

The article analyzes the theory of rationalization in the historical sociology of M. Weber and demonstrates its heuristic capabilities for understanding the sociocultural problems of digital society. It is shown that the multiplicity of rationalization types identified by Weber forms the research program of historical sociology based on their comparative study. It is substantiated that the most important factor in the formation of capitalism as a historically unique economic and sociocultural order in the West was substantive rationalization, similar to which not one of the civilizations of the East knew. The concepts of substantive and formal rationalization are analyzed, it is argued that under the universality of Westerntype capitalism Weber understood the spread of formal rationality in modern societies. There are shown the heuristic possibilities of the formal rationality concept for the analysis of sociocultural processes in the contexts of digitalization and for revealing its contradictions and irrational consequences. An assumption has been put forward about the contradiction between the formal rationalization of digital algorithms and the growing irrationalization of everyday human practices. It is shown that the main development problem in the modern world is the lack of substantive rationalization trends, without which humanity cannot reach a qualitatively new level of development. It has been suggested that the justification of the need for ideological and spiritual breakthroughs for the development of society has become the most important result of Weber’s rationalization theory.


Keywords
M. Weber’s legacy; historical sociology; rationalization; substantive rationality; formal rationality; irrationality; digitalization; digital society; social networks; network communities

References

Albrow M. (1987) The Application of the Weberian Concept of Rationalization to Contemporary Conditions. In: Max Weber, Rationality and Modernity. London: Allen & Unwin.

Andreski S. (1984) Max Weber’s Insights & Errors. London: Routledge.

Buss A. (1989) The Economic Ethics of Russian-Orthodox Christianity. Heidelberg: Winter. (In Germ.)

Davydov Yu.N. (1990) “Pictures of the World” and Types of Rationality (New Approaches to the Study of the Sociological Heritage of Max Weber). In: Weber M. Selected Works. Moscow: Progress: 736–770. (In Russ.)

Davydov Yu.N. (1998) Weber’s Theory of Capitalism – The Key to Universal Historical Sociology. In: History of Theoretical Sociology. Vol. 2. Moscow: Kanon+: 376–408. (In Russ.)

Gajdenko P.P. (1990) Sociology of Max Weber. In: Weber M. Selected Works. Moscow: Progress: 5–43. (In Russ.)

Gajdenko P.P., Davydov Y.N. (1991) History and Rationality. Max Weber’s Sociology and the Weberian Renaissance. Moscow: Politizdat. (In Russ.)

Kalberg S. (1981) Max Weber's Types of Rationality. Foundations for the Analysis of Rationalization Processes in History. In: Max Weber and the Rationalization of Social Action. Stuttgart: Enke. (In Germ.)

Kapelyushnikov R.I. (2018a) Weber’s Hypnosis. Notes on “The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism”. Part I. Ekonomicheskaya sotsiologiya [Journal of Economic Sociology]. Vol. 19. No. 3: 25–49. DOI: 10.17323/1726-3247-2018-3-25-49. (In Russ.)

Kapelyushnikov R.I. (2018b) Weber’s Hypnosis. Notes on “The Protestant Ethics and the Spirit of Capitalism”. Part II. Ekonomicheskaya sotsiologiya [Journal of Economic Sociology]. Vol. 19. No. 4: 12–42. DOI: 10.17323/1726-3247-2018-4-12-42. (In Russ.)

Makimoto T., Manners D. (1997) Digital Nomad. Chichester: Wiley.

Nietzsche F. (1996) Thus Spoke Zarathustra. In: Nietzsche F. Essays. In 2 vols. Vol. 2. Moscow: Mysl’: 6–237. (In Russ.)

Orlova L.V. (2016) Intellectual Passivity and Digital Dementia. In: Digital Society as a Cultural and Historical Context of Human Development. Kolomna: GSGU: 308–311. (In Russ.)

Schluchter W. (1980) Rationalism of World Domination. Studies on Max Weber. Frankfurt-am-Main: Suhrkamp. (In Germ.)

Soldatova G.U., Rasskazova E.I., Chigarkova S.V., Lvova E.N. (2018) Digital Culture: Rules, Responsibility and Regulation. In: Digital Society as a Cultural and Historical Context of Human Development. Kolomna: GSGU: 374–379. (In Russ.)

Weber M. (1923a) Collected Essays on the Sociology of Religion. Vol. I: Confucianism and Taoism. Tübingen: Mohr. (In Germ.)

Weber M. (1923b) Collected Essays on the Sociology of Religion. Vol. II: Hinduism and Buddhism. Tübingen: Mohr. (In Germ.)

Weber M. (2016) Economy and Society: Essays in Understanding Sociology. Vol. I: Sociology. Moscow: VShE. (In Russ.)

Weber M. (1990a) Science as a Vocation and Profession. In: Weber M. Selected Works. Moscow: Progress: 707–735. (In Russ.)

Weber M. (1994) Sociology of Religion (Types of Religious Communities). In: Weber M. Selected Works. Image of Society. Moscow: Yurist: 78–308. (In Russ.)

Weber M. (2007) The History of the Economy. Exchange and its Value. Moscow: Gyperborea; Kuchkovo pole. (In Russ.)

Weber M. (1990b) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. In: Weber M. Selected Works. Moscow: Progress: 61–272. (In Russ.)

Weber M. (1990c) The Theory of Steps and Directions of Religious Rejection of the World. In: Weber M. Selected Works. Moscow: Progress: 307–343. (In Russ.)

Zabaev I. (2019) A Nietzschean Take on a Hundred-Dollar Bill: Reading Weber’s “Protestant Ethic” in Connection with a Contemporary Economist’s Comments. Ekonomicheskaya sotsiologiya [Journal of Economic Sociology]. Vol. 20. No. 1: 20–71. DOI: 10.17323/1726-3247-2019-1-20-71. (In Russ.)

Zarubina N.N. (1998) Socio-Cultural Factors of Economic Development: M. Weber and Modern Theories of Modernization. Saint Petersburg: RKhGI. (In Russ.)

Content No 6, 2020