Max Weber beyond the Methodenstreit: Between history and theory

Date

1999

Author

Kalkan, Ekrem

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The Methodenstreit (war of methods) between Gııstav Schmoller and Carl Menger is usually evaluated as an unsolved polemic aimed at reconstructing political economy. Even Joseph A. Schumpeter, a follower of Menger, found this war to be a waste of time and energy. A new approach, developed by Max Weber, emerged from the confrontation of the methodological approaches of the two schools. Weber's method of ideal type and the newly emerging field of economic sociology, while trying to reconcile history and theory, in its turn had an impact on the younger members of the Austrian School, especially with respect to the study of institutions. On the other hand, other members of this school severely criticized the views of Weber. Although marginal ist economics was developing in three separate branches, a methodologically productive cross-fertilization could be seen in the Austrian branch. The views of Weber, being a product of the Methodenstreit and having influenced each member of the Austrian school in a unique way, played a key role in this productive process. The aim of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the methodological issues in economics by considering the place and the impact of Max Weber.

URI

http://www2.feas.metu.edu.tr/metusd/ojs/index.php/metusd
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/108244

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Department of Economics, Article