A comparative study of the Gemeinschaft concept

Shoji Kato

pp. 537-548

in: Lars Clausen, Carsten Schlüter (eds), Hundert Jahre "Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft", Wiesbaden, Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften, 1991

Abstract

We all aware of the diversity of views in the study of Tönnies, contrasts which have lead some scholars to assert that research on Tönnies is full of ambiguity. However, if we attempt to understand each of these differing views within its context — its approach, or its ideal or cultural background — we will recognize that the differences between points of view correspond to differences in background. Indeed, we may even be able to establish some complementary relation between the various views and their respective backgrounds, (which we shall here refer to as the "viewbackground set", or simply 'scenario"). The establishment of such relationship by comparing differing views should therefore further our total understanding of Tönnies, as unsatisfactory as it might be at this stage.