Features leading figures in history, sociology, political science, feminism and critical theory to interpret, evaluate, and criticize Weber's legacy. This book provides an account of the theme of rationalization in the world civilizations. It also examines Weber's social action model, and addresses the putative 'crisis' of Western rationality.

Introduction, Sam Whimster, Scott Lash; Part 1 The Processes of Rationalization; Chapter 1 Personal Conduct and Societal Change, Wolfgang Mommsen, Rainhild Wells; Chapter 2 Personality and Life Orders:, Wilhelm Hennis, Keith Tribe; Chapter 3 Rationalization in Max Weber’s Developmental History, Guenther Roth; Chapter 4 Weber’s Sociology of Rationalism and Typology of Religious Rejections of the World, Wolfgang Schluchter, Ralph Schroeder; Part 2 Rationalization and the Limits of Rational Action; Chapter 5 Legitimation and Structured Interests in Weber’s Sociology of Religion, Pierre Bourdieu, Chris Turner; Chapter 6 Rationality and the Characterization of Modern Society, Barry Hindess; Chapter 7 On the Irreversibility of Western Rationalization and Max Weber’s Alleged Fatalism, Johannes Weiss, Bruce Allen, Sam Whimster; Chapter 8 The Application of the Weberian Concept of Rationalization to Contemporary Conditions, Martin Albrow; Part 3 Problems of Modernity; Chapter 9 The Dialectic of Individuation and Domination: Weber’s Rationalization Theory and Beyond, Jeffrey C. Alexander; Chapter 10 Nietzsche and Weber: Two ‘Prophets’ of the Modern World, Ralph Schroeder; Chapter 11 The Rationalization of the Body: Reflections on Modernity and Discipline, Bryan S. Turner; Chapter 12 Max Weber on Erotic Love: a Feminist Inquiry, Roslyn Wallach Bologh; Chapter 13 The Secular Ethic and the Culture of Modernism, Sam Whimster; Part 4 Reason and the Political Order; Chapter 14 The Soul of the Citizen: Max Weber and Michel Foucault on Rationality and Government, Colin Gordon; Chapter 15 Charisma and Twentieth-Century Politics, Luciano Cavalli; Chapter 16 Decisionism and Politics: Weber as Constitutional Theorist, Stephen Turner, Regis Factor; Chapter 17 Modernity or Modernism? Weber and Contemporary Social Theory, Scott Lash;