The City (book)
Encyclopedia
The City is a book
by Max Weber
, a German
economist
and sociologist. It was published posthumously in 1921. In 1924 it was incorporated into a larger book, Economy and Society
. An English translation was made in 1958 and several editions have been released since then. It is still in print: a paperback edition was issued in Glencoe, Illinois by Free Press in 1986 with ISBN 0-02-934210-4 .
It is likely that Weber compiled that research in 1911–1913, although it contains materials he found before that time.
The analysis of city
consists of many different subjects—including study of religion
(especially Protestantism
), history of development of democracy
in Western Europe
.
Weber argues that the development of cities in European culture
(Occidental
cities) as an autonomous associations
with its own municipal officials was influenced by such factors as:
That made the city's population easily influenced by later ideas of the Reformers
.
In Weber's own words:
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by Max Weber
Max Weber
Karl Emil Maximilian "Max" Weber was a German sociologist and political economist who profoundly influenced social theory, social research, and the discipline of sociology itself...
, a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
and sociologist. It was published posthumously in 1921. In 1924 it was incorporated into a larger book, Economy and Society
Economy and Society
Economy and Society is a book by political economist and sociologist Max Weber, published posthumously in Germany in 1922 by his wife Marianne. Alongside The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, it is considered to be one of Weber's most important works...
. An English translation was made in 1958 and several editions have been released since then. It is still in print: a paperback edition was issued in Glencoe, Illinois by Free Press in 1986 with ISBN 0-02-934210-4 .
It is likely that Weber compiled that research in 1911–1913, although it contains materials he found before that time.
The analysis of city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
consists of many different subjects—including study of religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
(especially Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
), history of development of democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
in Western Europe
Western Europe
Western Europe is a loose term for the collection of countries in the western most region of the European continents, though this definition is context-dependent and carries cultural and political connotations. One definition describes Western Europe as a geographic entity—the region lying in the...
.
Weber argues that the development of cities in European culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
(Occidental
Western culture
Western culture, sometimes equated with Western civilization or European civilization, refers to cultures of European origin and is used very broadly to refer to a heritage of social norms, ethical values, traditional customs, religious beliefs, political systems, and specific artifacts and...
cities) as an autonomous associations
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
with its own municipal officials was influenced by such factors as:
- the religion of ChristianityChristianityChristianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
- the privileged legal position of the citizens (based upon citizen's obligation for military service)
- the decline of religious sanctions of kinshipKinshipKinship is a relationship between any entities that share a genealogical origin, through either biological, cultural, or historical descent. And descent groups, lineages, etc. are treated in their own subsections....
solidarity that facilitated creation of unified urban community
That made the city's population easily influenced by later ideas of the Reformers
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
.
In Weber's own words: