The paper explores the main paradigmatic failures of structural functionalism in anthropology. Structural functionalism explains institutions and social behavior by their contribution to the reproduction of social structure. Starting from Radcliffe-Brown and Malinowski, who represent two main variants of functionalism in anthropology, its main paradigmatic problems are discussed: its inability to analyze social conflict and change, its reducing of society to norms and values as well as its mode of explaining social facts. These failures are illustrated by two functional theories (...) of tribal wars, by Evans-Pritchard and by Rappaport. Various theoretical alternatives emerge from the decline of functionalism in anthropology. Conflict theory as well as game theory, new institutionalism, theories of collective action and evolutionary economics represent true alternatives. This again is illustrated by a theory of tribal war, explaining cooperation both within local groups and between allies against the background of the warlike social environment in which local groups are interacting. (shrink)

In seinem 1991 erstmals erschienenen Werk weist der Philosophie- und Sozialhistoriker Panajotis Kondylis nach, dass die sozialen und geistigen Wandlungen seit dem letzten Viertel des 19. Jahrhunderts bis heute eine strukturelle Einheit bilden. Die sich im Laufe von rund 150 Jahren vollziehenden gesellschaftlichen Prozesse resultieren in einem Paradigmenwechsel: Statt der bürgerlich-liberalen Denk- und Lebensform bestimmt die egalitär-massendemokratische Konsumhaltung mit ihren Wohlstandsversprechungen die Welt des 20./21. Jahrhunderts. Die Überwindung der Knappheit der Güter führt zu einer historisch einmaligen Situation, zum Massenkonsum, der (...) das postmoderne System in Gang hält. Die zentrale These des Autors lautet: Der ökonomische Erfolg der bürgerlichen Wertvorstellungen von Freiheit und Gleichheit ist zugleich die Ursache ihres Niedergangs. Im verbreiteten Hedonismus gibt es keine ästhetischen und ethischen Vorbehalte, die Analyse der politischen Wirklichkeit wird durch universale Kommunikation ersetzt, die von der Hoffnung auf Weltfrieden angetrieben wird. Im Zeitalter der pluralistischen Massendemokratie öffnen sich die Perspektiven auf die globale Gesellschaft, in der jedoch nicht der Handel den Krieg ablöst, sondern in dem die Verteilungskämpfe zunehmen. Das Buch erhebt nicht nur einen historischen und geistesgeschichtlichen, sondern auch einen methodologischen Anspruch, indem es Zusammenhänge zwischen sozialer, kultureller und raumzeitlicher Wahrnehmung erhellen will. (shrink)

This article argues that German universities have changed in structure and style and in doing so have distanced themselves from the classic university ideal. This thesis will be illustrated with examples. This development has led to changes that make it plausible to speak of a decline of academic style and professorial culture. Even though almost all reform writings promise not to touch the legacy of the classical university idea, the continuous reform processes have made it increasingly difficult to uphold the (...) university's independence. These external developments have also had an effect on the social climate and the respectful cooperation of professors, staff, and students. Even if such blanket statements do not apply everywhere, the reforms should nevertheless keep the history of the university in mind and maintain,,as much Humboldt as possible.". (shrink)

ZusammenfassungDie christlichen Kirchen sind in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland nach dem staatlichen öffentlichen Dienst die größten Arbeitgeber. Dies betrifft insbesondere das Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen. Nach der Gründung der Bundesrepublik haben die Kirchen ein eigenes individuelles und kollektives Arbeitsrecht aufgebaut, das in wichtigen Punkten vom staatlichen Recht abweicht. In der Weimarer Republik hatten die staatlichen Arbeitsgesetze hingegen auch für sie gegolten. Seit den 1950er Jahren stützen sie die Sonderbestimmungen ihres eigenen Arbeitsrechts darauf, dass ihre Beschäftigten sich in einer „Dienstgemeinschaft“ befinden. (...) Dieser Begriff entstammt der Rechtsordnung des NS-Staats. Der Aufsatz geht auf derzeitige rechtliche Kontroversen ein und kritisiert, dass die Kirchen sich zu extensiv auf ihr korporatives Selbstbestimmungsrecht berufen. Zurzeit betonen sie den religiösen Charakter der von ihnen getragenen Einrichtungen des Gesundheits- und Sozialwesens zum Teil noch stärker als zuvor. Für die Zukunft zeichnet sich die Notwendigkeit gesetzlicher Eingrenzungen ab. (shrink)

This is the first of four projected volumes in this series that will concern themselves with philosophy. Perhaps before discussing the contents proper it would be best to say something about Aufsteig und Niedergang der Römischen Welt as a whole, since a philosophical audience may not yet have encountered it and its background is relevant to comments below. ANRW began some twenty years ago as a project to publish a collection of articles which would delineate the state of contemporary (...) scholarship on various facets of the Roman period. Part 1 concerned the Roman Republic; it was a relatively modest four volumes with a mere 4,500 pages available for about DM 2,000. Fortunately, the quality of the scholarship was high; most contributors were the recognized experts in their respective fields. Part 2 concerns the Roman Empire. Publication is far from complete, but 62 massive volumes are projected. The cost of the volumes published so far is about DM 20,000. The contents of the second part range over all aspects of Roman history and culture, from Armenian history to New Testament studies. (shrink)

The Deutsche Biographische Enzyklopadie der Theologie und der Kirchen (DBETh) (German Biographical Encyclopaedia of Theology and the Church) offers biographical articles on 8,000 people from the areas of church, theology and the non-Christian religions, in the German-speaking regions. This biographical encyclopaedia of the church and the history of religion reaches from the early Middle Ages to the present, covering a period of more than a thousand years. Christians of different confessions and communities, Jews, prominent theologians and religious leaders and (...) representatives of religious studies are presented with their life histories and life's work. The DBETh is a unique type of lexical work of unparalleled extensiveness. The geographical area covered by the DBETh is defined by the German language. Besides Germany, it covers Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, the Alsace and Transylvania, the Baltic and South Tyrol. The biographical articles are free of value judgements and censorship, and do not cover people still living. Men and women, who made a significant impact during their lives and had far reaching influence following their deaths, are dealt with more extensively in articles written and signed by experts. Almost all the articles have details of further reading. Indexes of persons and places make it easier to use and to find connections. The sphere of people covered is broad: theologians, holders of church offices, philosophers with a religious-theological emphasis as well as artists concentrating primarily on ecclesiastical themes and activities - writers, musicians, painters, sculptors, and architects. Also included are secular leaders who were specifically influential in church politics. Vicars recognized as writers or as naturalists are not forgotten any more than members of orders, acknowledged as astronomers or mathematicians.". (shrink)