As a result of the multitude of focal points Ralf Dahrendorf addressed as well as the different r... more As a result of the multitude of focal points Ralf Dahrendorf addressed as well as the different roles in which he did this, whether as a scientist or as a public intellectual, the criticism of his thinking is generated in various places—such as the criticism that his terminology is not always adhered to, that partial statements contradict each other. Objects of criticism range from his positioning on Karl Marx, which ranges from too affirmative to overly critical, to his concept of democracy, which Hamermas, for example, criticized as too ‘elite’ friendly, to his positive assessment of American pragmatism. Overall, Dahrendorf’s thinking can be classified as a phalanx of (left-wing) liberal thinkers of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
The previous chapter dealt with the 'homo sociologicus' in its 'external guidance,' i.e., how rol... more The previous chapter dealt with the 'homo sociologicus' in its 'external guidance,' i.e., how roles and social norms can influence people's social actions. In the following, we will examine the question of what consequences a severe restricting of people to roles has for society. We first examine the relationship between social science theory and (political) practice as a basis for Dahrendorf's reflections on the consequences of human social inclusion and his understanding of liberty. Ralf Dahrendorf-as with other thinkers of the liberal spectrum-sees another danger for democratic society in an increasing bureaucratization, against which liberal societies would have to be defended. While Dahrendorf, with his reflections on bureaucracy and liberal society, can be placed in the tradition of a 'liberal mainstream,' he goes well beyond this with his reflections on society and the free market economy.
Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States In his scientific publishing acti... more Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States In his scientific publishing activities, Dahrendorf has often dealt with the development of individual societies (which he considers nation-states). In the following, two of these analyses will be outlined, those of the United States of America and those of the Federal Republic of Germany (studies on the German Democratic Republic will be dealt with more intensively later in the context of the development of the transformation of Central and Eastern Europe, see Sect. 9.3). 5.1 Dahrendorf and the United States of America His reflections on America are based, in one aspect, on observations from several (research) stays and the interpretation of the situation by locals and colleagues in the United States, but also on the intensive dissemination of social science research in the United States. Dahrendorf's reference to America reaches with 'Die angewandte Aufklärung. Gesellschaft und Soziologie in Amerika' (The Applied Enlightenment: Society and Sociology in America (Dahrendorf 1963b) an early high point, but it was
Society therefore turns from a ‘fact’ to an ‘annoying fact’ for the individual, because it not on... more Society therefore turns from a ‘fact’ to an ‘annoying fact’ for the individual, because it not only gives rise to possibilities, but also curtails possibilities for individual development and secures these curtailments with sanctions. The construct that Dahrendorf creates to clarify the effect of values, norms, and roles on the individual is the ‘homo sociologicus,’ the human being as the role bearer at the interface between society and person. Even if the ‘Homo sociologicus’ is conceived as a human being abstracted from all individuality, one is not free from conflicts, for these can arise both within a role (intra-role conflict), but also—since it always has different roles—between these roles (inter-role conflict). Social expectations of the individual human being have varying degrees of commitment.
For Dahrendorf, the enlargement of individual life chances is the central challenge of society in... more For Dahrendorf, the enlargement of individual life chances is the central challenge of society in general and politics especially. Life chances can be maximized in civil society. Civil society has the following characteristics: the rule of law, the autonomy of organizations and institutions, and a civic attitude characterized by politeness, tolerance, non-violence, civic pride, and civil courage. Education is necessary for people to be able to seize opportunities in life, so Dahrendorf values education as a civil right. In order for the education system to be able to fulfill its task of increasing individual opportunities in life, it must not be frozen in bureaucratic regulations. In this respect, Dahrendorf pleads for the definition of minimum standards in education by the state, complemented by sponsorship of educational institutions.
The main task of society (and politics) is to increase individual life chances. Consequently, Dah... more The main task of society (and politics) is to increase individual life chances. Consequently, Dahrendorf criticizes socialism, both in its utopian and its real variant. He also rejects the interpretation that the transformation of 1989 was a ‘return to capitalism.’ The real existing socialism is a ‘developing country phenomenon’ to modernize the respective societies. Even intellectuals are subject to the danger of being bound by authoritarian regimes, since they were striving in a special way for social recognition and belonging. He formulates the expectation of intellectuals to follow more strongly the ‘inner line’ of trusting in one’s own reason. Dahrendorf analyzes challenges of the profound globalization transformation of capitalism and liberal democracy in terms of “squaring the circle” of wealth creation, social cohesion, and political liberty.
Dahrendorf’s understanding of social science is that of a theory-based empiricism. Theoretical co... more Dahrendorf’s understanding of social science is that of a theory-based empiricism. Theoretical considerations are the basis for questions that are formulated as precisely as possible and subjected to empirical testing. This empirical examination can never lead—following Karl Popper—to a (certainly not final) proof of a theory. In this respect, he calls on scientists to critically deal with theories (both those of others and their own) and, accordingly, not to bow to any claims of sovereignty of interpretation; the mere acceptance of a variety of competing scientific approaches is generating the opportunity to determine the most suitable approaches. According to these considerations, he rejects the attempt to develop comprehensive world interpretation approaches (here he contradicts both Marxism and structural functionalism).
The conflict theory devised by Dahrendorf belongs to the classics of sociological theory formatio... more The conflict theory devised by Dahrendorf belongs to the classics of sociological theory formation. It represents a third path between the ‘fixation on revolution’ of Marx and the ‘normative social stability’ of Parsons. From his perspective, social conflicts are not only normal, but also a condition for social development. However, they can only fulfil this function if they are institutionally regulated. On the basis of these premises, Dahrendorf intends to demonstrate the centrality of class conflict in industrial society. During the Eighties, Dahrendorf reformulates his theory of class conflict in a scenario that has completely changed. He states that the modern social conflict concerns life chances, and that the classes originate from the combination of entitlements and provisions.
Giornate Di Studio Sulla Popolazione 2015, Nov 14, 2014
La proposta del contributo si articola secondo due filoni: in primo luogo studiare l'eventual... more La proposta del contributo si articola secondo due filoni: in primo luogo studiare l'eventuale differenza - a parita di condizioni strutturali - di progressione di carriera fra donne e uomini nell'ambito di un grande Ateneo come quello fiorentino e, in secondo luogo, verificare se. tra i fattori delle differenze, la cura dei figli e i ruoli domestici in genere, da sempre a carico delle donne, costituiscono un ostacolo di rilievo della carriera acccademica femminile, oggi piu che mai condizionata dal "fare ricerca" e dall'esporla in ambito nazionale e soprattutto internazionale. L'ipotesi guida da verificare e quella di genere: una differenza fondamentale e da attendersi nelle progressioni di carriera femminili e maschili, a svantaggio delle donne, condizionatamente alla struttura e ai comportamenti familiari. A tale scopo si intende condurre un'indagine tra i docenti dell'Ateneo fiorentino con la tecnica CAWI attraverso un questionario strutturato che mira a cogliere le caratteristiche del respondent, del partner, della vita familiare, accanto ai dati della carriera universitaria in termini di storia lavorativa pregressa, quali le sedi di appartenenza e le qualifiche che hanno costituito le fasi della carriera. Le tecniche di analisi delle carriere parallele saranno quelle di Event History Analysis.
In recent decades, geography in the German-speaking world has been strongly oriented towards Angl... more In recent decades, geography in the German-speaking world has been strongly oriented towards Anglo-Saxon and French concepts. For some years now, efforts have been emerging to consider the potential of German language, not only philosophical but also sociological and anthropological traditions of thought for human geography in Germany and beyond. This article considers two thinkers from the German-speaking world who have dedicated themselves to defending the open society: Karl Popper and his student Ralf Dahrendorf. In particular, the operationalization of open society considerations in Ralf Dahrendorf's conflict theory shows great potential especially for human geography research, as conflicts in the use and design of material spaces as well as over conceptual versions of spaces are commonplace. This thesis gains its current validity not least from the resurgence of authoritarian and totalitarian ideas that reject the achievements of open societies and always have spatial implications. It is therefore time to turn to the four central theorems of the two thinkers: (1) Popper's three worlds theory and (2) the concept of open society and (3) Dahrendorf's concepts of life chances and (4) conflict regulation.
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the biography of Ralf Dahrendorf, to the extent tha... more This chapter provides a brief introduction to the biography of Ralf Dahrendorf, to the extent that the reader is able to assign the different phases of Dahrendorf's scientific work and his philosophical and political publications to his life phases. A detailed biography of Ralf Dahrendorf is available-at least in German. As Kocka (2004, p. 151) stated, he was a "social scientist and, as such, author of classical sociological texts, both a political intellectual and an intellectual politician, a German and an Englishman, founder and director of scientific institutions, lifelong journalist, internationally soughtafter consultant and speaker, and honored often." According to his versatility and his desire to become socially effective, the retreat into the "ivory tower of university with its abstract erudition" (Micus 2009, p. 32) was not an option for him, "instead he emphasized the moral-political obligation of his subject and in his books combined the scientific analysis with the political plea" (Micus 2009, p. 32). Even though Dahrendorf remains known in the scientific context today primarily because of his sociological writings, in particular on role and conflict theory, his scientific roots lie initially in the study of philosophy and German studies, and he later also devotes himself to practical political questions as well as political-scientific, scientific theoretical, and philosophical questions.
Ralf Dahrendorf has developed important approaches to understanding central questions of contempo... more Ralf Dahrendorf has developed important approaches to understanding central questions of contemporary society and has taken a stand on them himself. In view of a widespread consensus norm and an equally widespread tendency to insist on maximum demands, his approach of understanding conflicts as normal and as a resource for social progress, could mean a starting point for a new conflict culture appropriate to a ‘civil society.’ Social development does not have to strive normatively toward a utopian goal but represents an iterative search process in which numerous regulatory paths are subjected to consideration in order to extend individual life chances in society. The expansion of these life chances also relates to the question of a critical attitude toward social role expectations and constraints.
This essentially theoretical contribution analyses the definition and use of the paradigm of capa... more This essentially theoretical contribution analyses the definition and use of the paradigm of capabilities in analysing social policies discussing the primary problematic junctions, giving particular attention to the relationship between welfare and labour in Europe. It gives special attention to Robert Salais’s theory and proposal to analyse the structure models of European welfare states in relation to the different ”pragmatic worlds” (Salais 2003) that define the different forms of public action in the relationship between welfare and labour on which they are based and move. Through the key literature Salais proposes, an analysis is made on the social dimension in European politics and in the European Employment Strategy, comparing the different policy implications between employability and capabilities approaches. The conclusion discusses the possibilities of “incorporating” the capabilities in analysing and evaluating European policies directed at facing issues that derive from ...
As a result of the multitude of focal points Ralf Dahrendorf addressed as well as the different r... more As a result of the multitude of focal points Ralf Dahrendorf addressed as well as the different roles in which he did this, whether as a scientist or as a public intellectual, the criticism of his thinking is generated in various places—such as the criticism that his terminology is not always adhered to, that partial statements contradict each other. Objects of criticism range from his positioning on Karl Marx, which ranges from too affirmative to overly critical, to his concept of democracy, which Hamermas, for example, criticized as too ‘elite’ friendly, to his positive assessment of American pragmatism. Overall, Dahrendorf’s thinking can be classified as a phalanx of (left-wing) liberal thinkers of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.
The previous chapter dealt with the 'homo sociologicus' in its 'external guidance,' i.e., how rol... more The previous chapter dealt with the 'homo sociologicus' in its 'external guidance,' i.e., how roles and social norms can influence people's social actions. In the following, we will examine the question of what consequences a severe restricting of people to roles has for society. We first examine the relationship between social science theory and (political) practice as a basis for Dahrendorf's reflections on the consequences of human social inclusion and his understanding of liberty. Ralf Dahrendorf-as with other thinkers of the liberal spectrum-sees another danger for democratic society in an increasing bureaucratization, against which liberal societies would have to be defended. While Dahrendorf, with his reflections on bureaucracy and liberal society, can be placed in the tradition of a 'liberal mainstream,' he goes well beyond this with his reflections on society and the free market economy.
Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States In his scientific publishing acti... more Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States In his scientific publishing activities, Dahrendorf has often dealt with the development of individual societies (which he considers nation-states). In the following, two of these analyses will be outlined, those of the United States of America and those of the Federal Republic of Germany (studies on the German Democratic Republic will be dealt with more intensively later in the context of the development of the transformation of Central and Eastern Europe, see Sect. 9.3). 5.1 Dahrendorf and the United States of America His reflections on America are based, in one aspect, on observations from several (research) stays and the interpretation of the situation by locals and colleagues in the United States, but also on the intensive dissemination of social science research in the United States. Dahrendorf's reference to America reaches with 'Die angewandte Aufklärung. Gesellschaft und Soziologie in Amerika' (The Applied Enlightenment: Society and Sociology in America (Dahrendorf 1963b) an early high point, but it was
Society therefore turns from a ‘fact’ to an ‘annoying fact’ for the individual, because it not on... more Society therefore turns from a ‘fact’ to an ‘annoying fact’ for the individual, because it not only gives rise to possibilities, but also curtails possibilities for individual development and secures these curtailments with sanctions. The construct that Dahrendorf creates to clarify the effect of values, norms, and roles on the individual is the ‘homo sociologicus,’ the human being as the role bearer at the interface between society and person. Even if the ‘Homo sociologicus’ is conceived as a human being abstracted from all individuality, one is not free from conflicts, for these can arise both within a role (intra-role conflict), but also—since it always has different roles—between these roles (inter-role conflict). Social expectations of the individual human being have varying degrees of commitment.
For Dahrendorf, the enlargement of individual life chances is the central challenge of society in... more For Dahrendorf, the enlargement of individual life chances is the central challenge of society in general and politics especially. Life chances can be maximized in civil society. Civil society has the following characteristics: the rule of law, the autonomy of organizations and institutions, and a civic attitude characterized by politeness, tolerance, non-violence, civic pride, and civil courage. Education is necessary for people to be able to seize opportunities in life, so Dahrendorf values education as a civil right. In order for the education system to be able to fulfill its task of increasing individual opportunities in life, it must not be frozen in bureaucratic regulations. In this respect, Dahrendorf pleads for the definition of minimum standards in education by the state, complemented by sponsorship of educational institutions.
The main task of society (and politics) is to increase individual life chances. Consequently, Dah... more The main task of society (and politics) is to increase individual life chances. Consequently, Dahrendorf criticizes socialism, both in its utopian and its real variant. He also rejects the interpretation that the transformation of 1989 was a ‘return to capitalism.’ The real existing socialism is a ‘developing country phenomenon’ to modernize the respective societies. Even intellectuals are subject to the danger of being bound by authoritarian regimes, since they were striving in a special way for social recognition and belonging. He formulates the expectation of intellectuals to follow more strongly the ‘inner line’ of trusting in one’s own reason. Dahrendorf analyzes challenges of the profound globalization transformation of capitalism and liberal democracy in terms of “squaring the circle” of wealth creation, social cohesion, and political liberty.
Dahrendorf’s understanding of social science is that of a theory-based empiricism. Theoretical co... more Dahrendorf’s understanding of social science is that of a theory-based empiricism. Theoretical considerations are the basis for questions that are formulated as precisely as possible and subjected to empirical testing. This empirical examination can never lead—following Karl Popper—to a (certainly not final) proof of a theory. In this respect, he calls on scientists to critically deal with theories (both those of others and their own) and, accordingly, not to bow to any claims of sovereignty of interpretation; the mere acceptance of a variety of competing scientific approaches is generating the opportunity to determine the most suitable approaches. According to these considerations, he rejects the attempt to develop comprehensive world interpretation approaches (here he contradicts both Marxism and structural functionalism).
The conflict theory devised by Dahrendorf belongs to the classics of sociological theory formatio... more The conflict theory devised by Dahrendorf belongs to the classics of sociological theory formation. It represents a third path between the ‘fixation on revolution’ of Marx and the ‘normative social stability’ of Parsons. From his perspective, social conflicts are not only normal, but also a condition for social development. However, they can only fulfil this function if they are institutionally regulated. On the basis of these premises, Dahrendorf intends to demonstrate the centrality of class conflict in industrial society. During the Eighties, Dahrendorf reformulates his theory of class conflict in a scenario that has completely changed. He states that the modern social conflict concerns life chances, and that the classes originate from the combination of entitlements and provisions.
Giornate Di Studio Sulla Popolazione 2015, Nov 14, 2014
La proposta del contributo si articola secondo due filoni: in primo luogo studiare l'eventual... more La proposta del contributo si articola secondo due filoni: in primo luogo studiare l'eventuale differenza - a parita di condizioni strutturali - di progressione di carriera fra donne e uomini nell'ambito di un grande Ateneo come quello fiorentino e, in secondo luogo, verificare se. tra i fattori delle differenze, la cura dei figli e i ruoli domestici in genere, da sempre a carico delle donne, costituiscono un ostacolo di rilievo della carriera acccademica femminile, oggi piu che mai condizionata dal "fare ricerca" e dall'esporla in ambito nazionale e soprattutto internazionale. L'ipotesi guida da verificare e quella di genere: una differenza fondamentale e da attendersi nelle progressioni di carriera femminili e maschili, a svantaggio delle donne, condizionatamente alla struttura e ai comportamenti familiari. A tale scopo si intende condurre un'indagine tra i docenti dell'Ateneo fiorentino con la tecnica CAWI attraverso un questionario strutturato che mira a cogliere le caratteristiche del respondent, del partner, della vita familiare, accanto ai dati della carriera universitaria in termini di storia lavorativa pregressa, quali le sedi di appartenenza e le qualifiche che hanno costituito le fasi della carriera. Le tecniche di analisi delle carriere parallele saranno quelle di Event History Analysis.
In recent decades, geography in the German-speaking world has been strongly oriented towards Angl... more In recent decades, geography in the German-speaking world has been strongly oriented towards Anglo-Saxon and French concepts. For some years now, efforts have been emerging to consider the potential of German language, not only philosophical but also sociological and anthropological traditions of thought for human geography in Germany and beyond. This article considers two thinkers from the German-speaking world who have dedicated themselves to defending the open society: Karl Popper and his student Ralf Dahrendorf. In particular, the operationalization of open society considerations in Ralf Dahrendorf's conflict theory shows great potential especially for human geography research, as conflicts in the use and design of material spaces as well as over conceptual versions of spaces are commonplace. This thesis gains its current validity not least from the resurgence of authoritarian and totalitarian ideas that reject the achievements of open societies and always have spatial implications. It is therefore time to turn to the four central theorems of the two thinkers: (1) Popper's three worlds theory and (2) the concept of open society and (3) Dahrendorf's concepts of life chances and (4) conflict regulation.
This chapter provides a brief introduction to the biography of Ralf Dahrendorf, to the extent tha... more This chapter provides a brief introduction to the biography of Ralf Dahrendorf, to the extent that the reader is able to assign the different phases of Dahrendorf's scientific work and his philosophical and political publications to his life phases. A detailed biography of Ralf Dahrendorf is available-at least in German. As Kocka (2004, p. 151) stated, he was a "social scientist and, as such, author of classical sociological texts, both a political intellectual and an intellectual politician, a German and an Englishman, founder and director of scientific institutions, lifelong journalist, internationally soughtafter consultant and speaker, and honored often." According to his versatility and his desire to become socially effective, the retreat into the "ivory tower of university with its abstract erudition" (Micus 2009, p. 32) was not an option for him, "instead he emphasized the moral-political obligation of his subject and in his books combined the scientific analysis with the political plea" (Micus 2009, p. 32). Even though Dahrendorf remains known in the scientific context today primarily because of his sociological writings, in particular on role and conflict theory, his scientific roots lie initially in the study of philosophy and German studies, and he later also devotes himself to practical political questions as well as political-scientific, scientific theoretical, and philosophical questions.
Ralf Dahrendorf has developed important approaches to understanding central questions of contempo... more Ralf Dahrendorf has developed important approaches to understanding central questions of contemporary society and has taken a stand on them himself. In view of a widespread consensus norm and an equally widespread tendency to insist on maximum demands, his approach of understanding conflicts as normal and as a resource for social progress, could mean a starting point for a new conflict culture appropriate to a ‘civil society.’ Social development does not have to strive normatively toward a utopian goal but represents an iterative search process in which numerous regulatory paths are subjected to consideration in order to extend individual life chances in society. The expansion of these life chances also relates to the question of a critical attitude toward social role expectations and constraints.
This essentially theoretical contribution analyses the definition and use of the paradigm of capa... more This essentially theoretical contribution analyses the definition and use of the paradigm of capabilities in analysing social policies discussing the primary problematic junctions, giving particular attention to the relationship between welfare and labour in Europe. It gives special attention to Robert Salais’s theory and proposal to analyse the structure models of European welfare states in relation to the different ”pragmatic worlds” (Salais 2003) that define the different forms of public action in the relationship between welfare and labour on which they are based and move. Through the key literature Salais proposes, an analysis is made on the social dimension in European politics and in the European Employment Strategy, comparing the different policy implications between employability and capabilities approaches. The conclusion discusses the possibilities of “incorporating” the capabilities in analysing and evaluating European policies directed at facing issues that derive from ...
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