Conflict and Concord in Wilhelmian Social Thought
Kenneth Barkin
In 1965, Ralf Dahrendorf published his compelling work Society and Democracy in Germany . this fruitful union of sociology history, he argued convincingly that an overwhelming penchant for concord synthesis has been the bane German mind past century a half; not only political thought but traditional institutions such as legal educational systems, ironically even supposedly radical Social Demorcatic Party. Everywhere life preceived quest certainty—an obsessive need some objective authority to deliver unimpeachable judgments would find universal acceptance. More than settling disputes, authorities were expected obviate disagreement altogether. The converse desire harmony was inability accept conflict normal; wherever reared its ugly head, Germans sought banish unnatural phenomenon by appeal higher power. curious refusal recognize ambiguity society, found key problem: what roadblocks ideology placed way development toward liberal parliamentary government.
Central European History