Max Weber & Modernity: Crash Course Sociology

Max Weber's analysis of the transition from traditional to modern society highlights the shift in thinking, driven by rationalization. He attributes this change to the Protestant Reformation, which emphasized personal responsibility and economic success. Weber explores the rise of bureaucracy and its impact on modern states, noting the shift from traditional to legal-rational legitimacy. He also discusses social stratification, emphasizing class, power, and status. Despite the efficiency of rationalization, Weber warns of its potential to create an 'iron cage' of bureaucratic capitalism, devoid of personal meaning.

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