Rudolf Stichweh: Theories of Asymmetrical Dependency

Theories of Asymmetrical Dependency: Sociological and Historical Considerations Rudolf Stichweh, Forum International Science and BCDSS, University of Bonn The lecture will look at two closely interconnected questions: 1. How do strong asymmetrical dependencies arise in human societies? Which conceptual and theoretical repertoire offer the social sciences to describe and explain the emergence of these dependencies. We will among others look at Mauss’ theory of gift exchange, Coleman’s theory of the exchange of rights to actions, Hirschman’s theory of the structure of societal loyalties, and Emerson’s power/exchange theory. 2. The emergence and institutional stabilization of asymmetrical dependencies probably needs a background of societal values which support these dependency structures. Therefore, we ask in the second part of the lecture how such a frame of background values looks like – and if at the beginning of societal modernity, a value transformation is to be observed which separates premodern and modern societies.