Introduction to the Thematic Dossier | Economy and Society: politics, practices, agents, and institutions

Interplay of the Economy and Society The economic orientation or the concept of “economic action” (Wirtschaften) intro­duced by Max Weber in his essays on the sociology of economics addresses the issue of satisfying desires for “utilities” (Nutzleistungen) as an exercise of an actor’s control over a certain resource. This resource is, originally, driven and directed towards eco­nomic ends. Following this common thread, “… the definition of ‘economic action’ must be further manifested in such ...