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Ralf Dahrendorf

ラルフ・ダールェンドルフ

Ralf Dahrendorf

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1929-05-01 （Hamburg）
Died
2009-06-17 （Cologne） age 80
Nationality
German, British
Languages
German, English
Residence History
Hamburg (birthplace) → London (residence) → Bonndorf (south-west Germany, residence)

Career

Occupations
sociologist, philosopher, political scientist, liberal politician, academic administrator
Active Years
1953-2009
Affiliations
London School of Economics, St Antony's College, University of Oxford, University of Konstanz, Berlin Social Science Research Center (WZB), House of Lords (UK)
Memberships
Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Member of the American Philosophical Society, Member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the British Academy (FBA)
Influenced By
Karl Marx, Max Weber, Karl Popper
Influenced
Contemporary sociologists and political theorists (broad influence)

Education

University of Hamburg
Philosophy, Classical Philology, Sociology
Period: 1947–1952
Year of Graduation: 1952
Country: Germany
Studied philosophy, classical philology and sociology
London School of Economics
Sociology / Department of Sociology
Degree: PhD
Period: 1953–1956
Year of Graduation: 1956
Country: United Kingdom
Leverhulme Research Scholar under Karl Popper; awarded PhD in sociology

Awards

Elected Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
1975
Organization: American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Result: 受選
Honorary Degree (Doctor of Science)
1977
Organization: University of Bath
Result: 授与
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
1982
Organization: British honours system / The Crown
Result: 授与
Life Peer (Baron Dahrendorf)
1993
Organization: United Kingdom
Result: 叙爵
Theodor-Heuss-Preis
1997
Organization: Theodor Heuss Foundation
Result: 受賞
Medal of Merit of Baden-Württemberg
1999
Organization: State of Baden-Württemberg
Result: 授与
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
2002
Organization: Italian Republic
Result: 授与
Pour le Mérite
2003
Organization: Pour le Mérite (Germany)
Result: 授与
FIRST Responsible Capitalism Lifetime Achievement Award
2009
Organization: FIRST
Result: 受賞
Ralf Dahrendorf Prize (namesake/prize established)
2019
Organization: German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
Result: 賞に名を残す

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society

1959 social theory / sociology

A foundational work redefining class conflict in terms of authority relations in modern industrial societies; it synthesizes and critiques Marxism and structural functionalism.

class conflictauthoritysocial inequalitypost-capitalism

Essays in the Theory of Society

1968 sociological essays

A collection of essays on social theory covering class, authority, and social change.

social theoryauthoritysocial change

The New Liberty

1974 lectures (Reith Lectures)

A series of six Reith Lectures broadcast by the BBC on the concept of liberty in the modern world.

libertyliberalismcitizenship

Reflections on the Revolution in Europe

1990 political essays

Reflections on post-Cold War Europe and the challenges to freedom and democracy.

European integrationdemocracyfreedom

Bibliography

  • Class and Class Conflict in Industrial Society (1959)
  • Essays in the Theory of Society (1968)
  • Society and Democracy in Germany (1967)
  • The New Liberty (Reith Lectures, 1974)
  • Reflections on the Revolution in Europe (1990)
  • Numerous other articles and lecture collections

Style & Themes

Literary Style
analytical and lucid academic prosecomparative and critical approachargument linking theory and practice
Recurring Motifs
distribution of authorityclass relations and conflictliberty and citizenshipdefence of the liberal order

Health

  • cancer
    2000年代後半（最終期）
    Affected his health in later years; led to his death in 2009

Legacy

He had a major impact on modern sociology and political thought by redefining class in terms of authority. Through leadership roles and public office he bridged academia and public policy; the Ralf Dahrendorf Prize memorializes his name.

Academic Societies

  • German Sociological Association (former chairman)
  • American Academy of Arts and Sciences (member)
  • American Philosophical Society (member)

Archives

  • Archives related to the London School of Economics
  • Materials held at the Berlin Social Science Research Center (WZB)
  • University of Hamburg holdings

In Popular Culture

  • The Ralf Dahrendorf Prize (for research communication) ensures continued reference to his legacy in academia

Quotes

  • I am a Londoner.
    Source: Interview remark (during his lifetime)
  • Europe has lost one of its most important thinkers and intellectuals.
    Source: Statement by Angela Merkel (on his death) (2009)

Trivia

  • As a youth he was involved in anti-Nazi activities and was sent to a concentration camp.
  • One of the founders of the University of Konstanz.
  • Created a life peer in the UK in 1993 (Baron Dahrendorf).
  • Held dual citizenship (Germany and the UK).