This open access book traces the development of sociology in Germany
from the late 19th century to the present day, providing a
concise overview of the main actors, institutional processes, theories,
methods, topics and controversies. Throughout the book, the author
relates the discipline's history to its historical, economic, political
and cultural contexts. The book begins with sociology in the German
Reich, the Weimar Republic, National Socialism and exile, before
exploring sociology after 1945 as a 'key discipline' of the young
Federal Republic of Germany, and reconstructing the periods from 1945 to
1968 and from 1968 to 1990. The final chapters are devoted to sociology
in the German Democratic Republic and the period from 1990 to the
present day. This work will appeal to students and scholars of
sociology, and to a general readership interested in the history of
Germany.