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Weber’s value spheres, functional differentiation, and Zetterberg’s Many-Splendored Society

Hallonsten, Olof LU (2021) In Max Weber Studies 21(2). p.151-170
Abstract
Weber's notion of value spheres is famous but underdeveloped as a theory framework. Prominent sociologists have shown that it can be used as a unifying force in functionalist differentiation theory, and as a tool in the analysis of modernity. One of the theorists in this tradition is Hans L. Zetterberg, who throughout his varied career remained attached to the idea of society as composed of six value spheres or institutional realms. His theorizing on basis of this idea is the perhaps most purposeful and systematized, yet largely unnoticed, effort to develop the value spheres into a theory of society. Zetterberg's works in this realm are examined in an attempt to evaluate their relevance and potential, to put them in the proper context of... (More)
Weber's notion of value spheres is famous but underdeveloped as a theory framework. Prominent sociologists have shown that it can be used as a unifying force in functionalist differentiation theory, and as a tool in the analysis of modernity. One of the theorists in this tradition is Hans L. Zetterberg, who throughout his varied career remained attached to the idea of society as composed of six value spheres or institutional realms. His theorizing on basis of this idea is the perhaps most purposeful and systematized, yet largely unnoticed, effort to develop the value spheres into a theory of society. Zetterberg's works in this realm are examined in an attempt to evaluate their relevance and potential, to put them in the proper context of Weberian and functionalist sociology, and to inspire renewed use of the value spheres in sociology. (Less)
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author
organization
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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Max Weber Studies
volume
21
issue
2
pages
151 - 170
ISSN
1470-8078
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b9f6309b-5539-41c7-97a7-6d667139172d
date added to LUP
2021-03-16 09:42:23
date last changed
2021-09-27 10:01:28
@article{b9f6309b-5539-41c7-97a7-6d667139172d,
  abstract     = {{Weber's notion of value spheres is famous but underdeveloped as a theory framework. Prominent sociologists have shown that it can be used as a unifying force in functionalist differentiation theory, and as a tool in the analysis of modernity. One of the theorists in this tradition is Hans L. Zetterberg, who throughout his varied career remained attached to the idea of society as composed of six value spheres or institutional realms. His theorizing on basis of this idea is the perhaps most purposeful and systematized, yet largely unnoticed, effort to develop the value spheres into a theory of society. Zetterberg's works in this realm are examined in an attempt to evaluate their relevance and potential, to put them in the proper context of Weberian and functionalist sociology, and to inspire renewed use of the value spheres in sociology.}},
  author       = {{Hallonsten, Olof}},
  issn         = {{1470-8078}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{151--170}},
  series       = {{Max Weber Studies}},
  title        = {{Weber’s value spheres, functional differentiation, and Zetterberg’s Many-Splendored Society}},
  volume       = {{21}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}