Shows
Chasing SocietyThe Rationalization of Society: Max Weber and the Rise of Rational CapitalismIn the episode, I outline Max Weber's idea of modern, rational capitalism. What defines it and what makes it rational? References:Carruthers, B. G., & Espeland, W. N. (1991). Accounting for Rationality: Double-Entry Bookkeeping and the Rhetoric of Economic Rationality. American Journal of Sociology, 97(1), 31–69.Hall, P. A., & Soskice, D. (2001). Varieties of Capitalism: The Institutional Foundations of Comparative Advantage. Oxford University Press.Swedberg, Richard (1998). Max Weber and the Idea of Economic Sociology. Princeton University Press. Weber, Max (2019). Economy and Society. A New Translation by Keith Tribe. Harvard University Press.Weber, Max...
2025-02-2133 min
Chasing SocietyThe Rationalization of Society: Max Weber on Domination, Law and the Rational StateIn the third episode in my series about the rationalization of society, I will attend to another important manifestation of the rationalization process that Max Weber outlined: the rational state. What does it mean for states to be rational, and what is the relation between the rational state and liberal democracies? Let’s find out.In this context, I will also explain and exemplify Weber's famous three types of legitimate domination, that will help us deepen our understanding of Weber's thinking. References:Hoyer, Katja (2021): Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the Ge...
2024-07-1839 minChasing SocietyThe Rationalization of Society: Max Weber on Modern BureaucracyIn this episode we are getting serious. We are going to talk about Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy and we are going to find out why bureaucracy is one of the most important rationalizing forces in the rationalized society. And please be careful, you might even learn something about the history of Prussia and the German Empire. Summary of the previous episode and introduction to this one starts at minute 2.14.Section 1 starts at minute 6.28.Section 2 starts at minute 23.50.Section 3 starts at minute 39.09.Sources:Blau, Peter. M. (1956). Bureaucracy in Modern Society. New York...
2024-05-0351 minChasing SocietyThe Rationalization of Society: PrologueIn this podcast series, I want to take a deep dive into the rationalization of society. In this first episode, I want to set the stage for this series and answer a simple question: What do sociologists mean when they speak of the rationalization of society? This episode is a general introduction to the topic and I’ve kept it as short as possible so you can smoothly immerse yourself in this complex phenomenon. If you enjoy it, please be sure to follow this show on your preferred streaming platform so you don’t miss out on the n...
2024-03-2218 minChasing SocietyBack from the Academic Trenches (with a new series)I’m glad to announce that the Chasing Society podcast will soon be back with new episodes. I haven't had the time to write and produce new material lately due to many professional commitments and the never-ending hustle of navigating academia's twists and turns. But now that I've emerged from the academic trenches, I've decided it's time to get back and produce new material. I’m very happy to tell you that I am currently cooking up an entire podcast series about a phenomenon that we sociologists call the rationalization of society. It's a big term with even...
2024-03-0801 minChasing SocietySurrogacy, Technology, Economics - An Interview with Ingvill StuvøyIn this episode, I talk to Ingvill Stuvøy about surrogacy, technology and the economics behind it...and about Karl Marx. Yes!
2022-10-141h 05Chasing SocietyCity of Men: An Interview with Romit ChowdhuryAn interview with Romit Chowdhury about men, masculinity and city life. Romit is currently based at the University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Reading recommendations will follow soon.
2022-05-1650 minChasing SocietyPierre Bourdieu on the Peasant and His BodyIn this episode, I will attend to one of the lesser known texts of Pierre Bourdieu: The Peasant and His Body. The text was published as a chapter in Bourdieu's last book and as a separate article in the journal Ethnography. The body takes centerstage in this ethnographic analysis of the lifeworld of the peasant in Bourdieu's home region of Béarn.
2021-11-2725 min
Zukunftspioniere#09 Wie die Netstream AG vom IT-Pionier zur agil lernenden Organisation wurde mit Alexis CacedaAlles begann 1998 mit dem Wunsch nach einem eigenen Highspeed-Internetanschluss. Alexis Caceda und seine Freunde Dominik Breitenmoser und Reto Kasser machten das Unmögliche möglich und gründeten kurzerhand die Netstream AG. Was als kleines Projekt begann, entwickelte sich schnell zu einem etablierten Anbieter – unter anderem mit der TV-Lösung für Sunrise. Ein cleverer Coup, wie das Sponsoring des FC Zürich, brachte zusätzlichen Schub und wachsende Bekanntheit. Doch mit dem Wachstum kamen auch Herausforderungen.
2015 war klar: Es braucht Veränderung. Alexis erzählt, warum die gängigen Ansätze nicht zu ihnen passten, wie die Zusammenar...
2021-11-0325 minChasing SocietyTalcott Parsons and 'The Structure of Social Action' (1937) - Thomas Hobbes and the Problem of Social Order (updated re-upload)This is the updated opening episode about Parsons' groundbreaking work The Structure of Social Action that was first published 1937. In this opener, I will take up the problem of social order which is so central to the book and sociology in general.
2021-09-1913 minChasing SocietySimmel's Metropolis and The Mental Life (1903)In this episode, I attend to Simmel's famous text The Metropolis and The Mental Life which was published in 1903. It seems as if this one has aged pretty well and may still be a valid description of the urban lifestyle.
2021-05-2426 minChasing SocietyTalcott Parsons - The Structure of Social Action (1937): Introduction and Unit ActIn this episode, I introduce one of sociology's most important, yet, most difficult works: Talcott Parsons' two-volume epos The Structure of Social Action, originally published in 1937. Aside from a brief overview and introduction, I am also going to outline its most important theoretical concept: the unit act.Some suggestions for further reading:Joas and Knöbl (2009): Social Theory - Twenty Introductory Lectures.Richard Münch (1994): Sociological Theory - From the 1920's to the 1960's.And, of course, the man himself, Talcott Parsons (1968/1937): The Structure of Social Action - Volume I and II.
2021-02-1423 minChasing SocietyÉmile Durkheim on Social FactsThis episode zooms in on Durkheim's concept of social facts as outlined in The Rules of the Sociological Method.
2020-09-1514 minChasing SocietyGeorg Simmel's Formal SociologyIn this episode, I introduce Georg Simmel's idea of a 'formal sociology' and use his ideas about 'conflict' and 'the stranger' as an example.
2020-09-0614 min