Totalitarianism and Dead Ends in Sociology

The 20^th century did not only see the rise of academic sociology, but highlighted also strife within societies that resulted in specific forms of totalitarianism. Literature on the relationship of sociology and these totalitarianisms is controversial.

Some authors state that sociology is not a natural antipode to dictatorships: Some sociologists like Sombart and Michels were active proponents of totalitarian ideology, and most totalitarian regimes quite liked the technical expertise of social research.

Other authors propose that a flourishing sociology needs a certain form of society characterized by openness and tolerance to find a constructive climate for theoretical reflection, empirical research and practical relevance. From this position one could state that there is a “Wahlverwandtschaft”, a structural affinity, between sociology and democracy.

The presentation will use empirical material from a case study on the development of sociology at the University of Halle between 1900 and 1990. The University of Halle is an interesting case in so far as in this East German university the societal context varies between monarchy, democracy, fascism and communism. The empirical material focuses on published and unpublished work of Friedrich Hertz and Rudhard Stollberg, as well as archive material to their activities and conflicts. Specific dead ends of forms of historical sociology and empirical sociology are analysed with regard to the guiding question, whether there is a structural tension between forms of totalitarianism and sociology.