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Olof Hallonsten. Photo

Olof Hallonsten

Senior lecturer

Olof Hallonsten. Photo

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

Author

  • Olof Hallonsten

Summary, in English

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.

Department/s

  • Organizational Studies
  • CIRCLE

Publishing year

2021-03-15

Language

English

Pages

151-170

Publication/Series

Max Weber Studies

Volume

21

Issue

2

Document type

Journal article

Topic

  • Other Social Sciences

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1470-8078