Le concept de « configuration » et ses implications empiriques : Elias avec et contre Weber

Abstract

Why is it that Norbert Elias went to such lengths to distance himself from Max Weber’s conception of sociology whilst their respective approaches seem so close? I will first evaluate the relevance of his arguments against the “liberal bourgeois” that Weber was to the end. I will then bring out the empirical implications from a number of extracts selected from his works. I will conclude by examining his “synoptic” approach, one to be followed by all sociologists. All things considered, it appears that Elias defends a relational approach of social constraint that Max Weber would not have disowned.

Keywords

• configuration
• synoptic approach
• Max Weber
• Norbert Elias
• methodological pluralism