When Baehr met Steffen: Appraising classicality through the lens of neglect

Classical sociology has long served as a locus for the discipline's self-understanding, and is a phenomenon increasingly studied in its own right. The growing literature is synthesised in Peter Baehr's renowned framework for scrutinising reception and formation processes. By theorising on the trajectories of multiple classics, Baehr has helped pave the way for sociology’s understanding of how classicality becomes established. This paper deploys this framework in order to appraise neglected work with classicality potential in early sociology, namely the bulky production of Sweden's main candidate for a classic, Gustaf F. Steffen (1864–1929), with special attention given to his magnum opus Sociology: A g eneral theory of society (1910–1911). The analysis exposes some of the conceptual ambiguity in Baehr's framework, while proposing that both the notion of a ‘classic’ and the sole focus on reception and formation need to be expanded. This article also argues that our understanding of classicality could be advanced if we were to distinguish between author, text, and theory, since each of these plays different roles in reception, formation, and neglection processes.

Classics and classicality: JCS after 20 years

This article provides an introduction to the 20th Anniversary Special Issue of the Journal of Classical Sociology. It begins with some brief observations on the key developments that have shaped the disciplinary core of sociology over the past decades. It goes on to reflect on the role of classical sociology in Europe and beyond, drawing attention to its continuing presence in British and Anglo-American intellectual circles. Far from existing in a bubble of academic ivory towers, the paradigms emerging from disputes in the social sciences in general and in sociology in particular are profoundly shaped by wider historical trends – notably those influenced by different forms of collective action, as illustrated in the impact of social movements on the university sector in the late 1960s. In light of recent calls for ‘the decolonization of academia’, we ask to what extent sociology can, and should, strive to go beyond the hegemony of the ‘Western’ canon. Having given a succinct overview of the 20-year history of JCS, we elucidate the different formats of the material published in the journal, stressing the importance of editorial flexibility. On a more substantive note, we point out that the thematic scope of the work published in JCS has been wide-ranging and inclusive – not only because of its editors’ broad conception of ‘classics’ and ‘classicality’, but also because of the interdisciplinary spirit permeating the journal. This commitment, as we explain, manifests itself in the wide range of thinkers and topics discussed – from a multiplicity of perspectives – in the journal. We also grapple with noteworthy challenges posed by the academic publishing industry in the early 21st century, including the difficulties arising from peer-review processes. Finally, we express our gratitude to those who have contributed to this 20th Anniversary Special Issue and emphasize the journal’s commitment to defending the legacy of classical sociology.

The heritage of classical sociology

This short contribution explores alternative conceptions of classical sociology and continuities and discontinuities in its history, with particular attention to the German and Austrian context and the sociological diaspora resulting from European fascism.

Consumption: conceptualization of notion in foreign classical sociology

Bases for the concept of “consumption” in foreign classical sociology have been considered. The author’s theoretical scheme of consumption analysis is developed. Approaches to consumption within the framework of structural functionalism at the level of macrosocial analysis are presented – these are class and institutional approaches, based on the principle of social organization and subordination. Social functions of the consumption are the stratification and establishment of control by interested system players. On the level of microsocial analysis, there is a socio-cultural approach based on the principle of identification, and in this case, social functions of consumption are the rationality of subjects in the process of self-realization and establishment of social communications in the context of the value-normative system of culture. As a result of the review of the scientific literature, it has been revealed that, at the moment, there is no consensus among researchers on the adoption of a broad definition of the concept of “consumption” in sociology, since it is usually defined by the context of the study. Based on the analysis of the sociological approaches to the consumption, its definition is formulated as social activity to satisfy material and spiritual needs through acquiring, using, destroying and alienating goods, as a result of which social differences and relations, social structure, institutional influence, value-normative system of culture, social identity, life styles, social connections and communications are determined, established and maintained.

Prerequisites of feminist discourse formation in Russian sociology of the XIX c.: M. I. Mikhailov .

The article considers the ideas of the Russian writer, poet and journalist M. I. Mikhailov, that became intellectual prerequisites for the formation of feminist discourse in Russian sociology of the XIX century. Domestic thinkers have contributed greatly to the emergence in Russia of feminism as a social phenomenon and the theory of feminism in the history of Russian social thought. The specifics of historical and cultural development have influenced the reflection of many issues within the social sciences, including the need to explore the “female issue” in sociology. The author shows that the problem of the position of women in society is markedly expressed in the context of Russian culture and is widely revealed in Russian literature in the works of famous writers, poets, journalists, philosophers, in particular in the works of M. Mikhailov. This article can be considered as an attempt to develop and deepen courses on the history of Russian sociology, it gives an idea of how feminist discourse was formed in classical sociology. The presentation of the problem of inequality, overcoming the dependent position of women and ensuring their rights in Russia differs from the Western specificity. This difference is reflected in the works of M. Mikhailov. The author shows significant influence on shaping the feminist discourse of European scholars, on the one hand. On the other hand, the author describes a revision and critical analysis of these ideas in the works of the Russian writer. The article analyzed Mikhailov’s creativity as one of the components of the process of spiritual and intellectual development of Russian social thought, immediately preceding the emergence of sociology in Russia and the formation of feminist discourse within some leading scientific schools.

NIKLAS LUHMANN’S SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY: THE ISSUE OF SUBSYSTEM AUTONOMY

Niklas Luhmann articulates the basic elements of his authentic theoretical position as criticism of, as he calls them, classical sociology or classical organisation theory. While within these orientations, (social) systems are mainly interpreted as centralised entities whose structures are stabilised by purpose determined at the top, Luhmann, in his general theory of social systems privileges internal differentiation in which subsystems autonomously define their purposes, making society more flexible and capable of responding to environmental challenges. In that sense, the main intention of this paper is the creation of cognitive interest for the notions of complexity and flexibility, i.e. for the issue of subsystem autonomy, as the important elements of Luhmann’s general theory of social systems. Our premise is that the establishment of subsystem autonomy is not a matter of mere, a priori, theoretical and/or practical arbitrariness, nor does it mean an introduction into deconstruction of the system, but it represents a necessary step in the creation of successful responses of the social system to problems arising from the immense and dynamic complexity of its own environment. In other words, through the process of internal differentiation, by establishing subsystem autonomy, the social system increases its own complexity, i.e. ability to adjust to the environment. Thus, challenges arising from the environment are not transferred to the whole, but localised and processed in the appropriate, autonomous parts of the system. By so increasing its internal complexity, the system undeniably acquires the necessary flexibility, or capability for a faster and more efficient creation of alternative.

ON THE ISSUE OF THE FUNCTIONAL THEORY OF ELITES: LOSSES AND POSSIBILITIES OF A NEW APPROACH

The article examines the prerequisites for reinterpreting the concept of "elite" at the turn of the XX–XXI centuries. The author analyzes the need to change the concept of the elite as a factor of social practice, investigates the prerequisites for a retreat from the traditions of interpreting the elite in the problem field of classical sociology. The thesis about the fruitfulness of the study of the elite in the discourse of such trends of its development as sociologization, rationalization, and subjectivation is outlined. The explanatory potential of the functional and functionalist concepts of the elites is compared.

Kritický realismus Revisited: Příspěvek k sociologické teorii subjektivity

This paper develops the sociological conception of subjectivity, which recognizes the key role of cultural and linguistic meanings in social life. J. Šubrt’s concept of “duplex” could help to overcome the theoretical dilemma between individualism (subjectivism) and holism (objectivism) in sociology. This concept is inspired by the critical realism of I. A. Bláha and takes into account perspectives from the philosophy of language, phenomenology, the classical sociology of G. H. Mead, and the contemporary critical realism of M. Archer. The focus of the duplex concept is the interactive and procedural nature of meanings (mental representations). The argument in favour of the interactive and pluralistic conception of the subject of social events derives from this attribute of meaning.

RELIGION IN THE THEORIES OF CLASSICAL SOCIOLOGY

As the science about society, from its very beginning, sociology has dealt with religion and its importance and function in a society. Social events and changes that have taken place in the area of Europe have contributed to bringing religion in the focus of many scholars, which shows that in the overall history of humankind it has been one of the unavoidable research topics. This research aimed at showing how classical sociologists (Comte, Marx, Durkheim and Weber) approached the phenomenon of religion. The stances of the aforementioned scholars are presented by the means of a method of theoretical analysis. The findings indicate that all scholars approach the phenomenon of religion differently. Thus, for instance Comte, as a founder of sociology, embodies a positivist discourse through which he promotes the universal theory of religion. Unlike his contemporaries, Durkheim, claims that religion is an unavoidable society factor and that it presents an essential condition for social integration. Contrary to Durkheim, Marx argues that religion is the alienation and opium of the ruling masses who use it to establish balance. Weber, adopting a systematic sociology approach to religion, analyses comparatively religious and social behavior, and claims that religion is a radical response to specific life situations.