A MARXISM OF ELECTIVE AFFINITIES: the sociological adventure of Michael L?wyUN MARXISME DES AFFINITES ELECTIVES: l’aventure sociologique de Michael L?wy

摘要

The article analyses the Michael L?wy’s work upon the concept of “elective affinity” used by Max Weber. We draw upon L?wy’s articles presenting his attempt to build an effective contribution to a more clear definition and use of the concept. The article points out some of the arguments put forward by his critics displaying what would be L?wy’s formulation limits. As an introduction we present the sociological context of the most famous appearance of the concept in the Max Weber’s book The protestant ethics and the “spirit” of capitalism which has been serving for L?wy’s research and developments.