Ralf Dahrendorf Books

This is the first history of the LSE, one of the most famous academic institutions in the world. Ralf Dahrendorf, a former Director of the School, provides a comprehensive account of its first century, enlivened by his own personal insights. The story of the individuals who played a role inthe LSE's history is interwoven with the development of the social sciences in the twentieth century and an assessment of the LSE's world-wide links and influence.

This volume presents Homo Sociologicus, originally part of the Essays in the Theory of Society, featuring a new introduction by the author from its 1973 release. The work explores sociological concepts and theories, providing insights into social behavior and the role of individuals within society. It serves as a significant contribution to the understanding of social structures and interactions, making it a valuable resource for students and scholars of sociology.

The book presents Ralf Dahrendorf's influential Reith Lectures, focusing on the concept of new liberty and the need to adapt liberalism to address modern societal challenges. Through insightful exploration, Dahrendorf engages with contemporary issues, aiming to reshape liberal thought for a changing world.

The collection features ten essays exploring critical intersections of sociology and social philosophy, showcasing the author's profound understanding of historical context and political analysis. Originally published in 1968, these works reflect significant sociological insights and engage with pressing societal issues, highlighting the author's status as a prominent European theorist.

The book presents a groundbreaking theory of conflict within industrial society, developed through comprehensive analyses of various social phenomena. It explores the dynamics of social interactions and conflicts, offering insights into the underlying mechanisms that drive these issues. Originally published in 1959, it serves as a significant contribution to the understanding of societal structures and conflicts.

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked the end of Europe's division into East and West, leading to a transformed world that contrasts sharply with the preceding forty years. This new Europe raises numerous questions about its future direction and implications. Are we witnessing the end of an era without a clear replacement for the previous dismal way of life? What impact will a market economy have on the social fabric of Central European countries, potentially enriching a few while impoverishing many? How can the rule of law be established in this evolving landscape? In this insightful work, Ralf Dahrendorf, a prominent European scholar, explores these pressing issues. He interprets the developments in East Central Europe not as a triumph for either of the opposing social systems but as a preference for an open society over a closed one. Dahrendorf highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing economic growth with social justice while creating genuine democratic institutions. This humane, skeptical, and anti-utopian book serves as a manifesto for radical liberalism, emphasizing that the social entitlements of citizenship are as crucial for progress as opportunities for choice. It offers a thoughtful analysis of change and geopolitics, pointing toward a new political framework for the twenty-first century.

Wolfson College Lectures 1981: • Reflections on social theory and political practice — by Ralf Dahrendorf • Social theory and politics in the history of social theory — by Tom Bottomore • Political theory and practice — by Charles Taylor • Accounts, actions, and values : objectivity of social science — by Amartya Sen • Social theory, social understanding, and political action — by John Dunn • The collapse of consensus : ideology in British politics — by David Marquand • Marxism and Communism — by Wlodzimierz Brus

Mit Beiträgen von Theodor W. Adorno, Hannah Arendt, Jean Améry, Gottfried Benn, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Jürgen Habermas, Ralf Dahrendorf, Ernst Bloch u. a.

Ralf Dahrendorf lotet in diesem Band eine Fülle von beispielhaften Biographien aus, um die Ursachen für die Unversuchbarkeit des liberalen Geistes freizulegen: Karl Popper, Isaiah Berlin, Raymond Aron und Norberto Bobbio, Hannah Arendt, Theodor W. Adorno und George Orwell treten auf - aber auch kontrastierende Persönlichkeiten wie Martin Heidegger und Ernst Jünger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Manès Sperber, Arthur Koestler oder Georg Lukács. "Ralf Dahrendorf zeichnet das Porträt einer Generation von Intellektuellen, die der totalitären Versuchung widerstanden." Die Zeit "Eine Erkundungsreise zu den Quellen des liberalen Geistes." Hermann Glaser, Das Parlament "Es liegt etwas Tröstliches darin, dass Dahrendorf gezeigt hat, wie man im Rückblick auf das schreckliche 20. Jahrhundert auch ein Buch über den Anstand schreiben kann." Wolf Lepenies, Die Welt