The Germans

by Elias, Norbert; Schroter, Michael; Dunning, Eric; Mennell, Stephen; Dunning, Eric

• ISBN13: 9780231105620
• ISBN10: 0231105622
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-05-01
• Publisher: Columbia Univ Pr

Summary

The last major work by one of our century's most influential social theorists, The Germansis a penetrating account of German social development, from the seventeenth century to the present. Enhanced by his deep understanding of other Western European nations, Norbert Elias's incisive analyses of nationalism, violence, and the breakdown of civilization will be an indispensable resource for those interested in modern European history and sociology and in European studies.

Author Biography

Norbert Elias was Professor Emeritus at the University of Frankfurt until his death in 1990.

Table of Contents

Preface

Civilization and Information

Acknowledgements

A Digression on Nationalism

Introduction

Civilization and Violence: On the State Monopoly of Physical Violence and its Transgression

Changes in European Standards of Behaviour in the Twentieth Century

Duelling and Membership of the Imperial Ruling Class

Demanding and Giving Satisfaction

'History of Culture' and 'Political History'

From Humanist to Nationalist Middle Class Elites

The Duality of Nation-States'

Normative Codes One the Ethos of the Wilhelmine Bourgeoisie

The Pro-War Literature of the Weimar Republic

The Decay of the State Monopoly of Violence in the Weimar Republic

Lucifer upon the Ruins of the World

Terrorism in the Federal Republic of Germany-Expression of a Social Conflict between Generations

The Breakdown of Civilization

Thoughts of the Federal Republic

Editorial Postscript

Notes

Index

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