ABSTRACT

If we are looking for lasting traces of Max Weber's influence on the politics of the late-Wilhelmine Reich, we shall encounter his political and personal friendship with Friedrich Naumann - a relationship maintained until Naumann's early death. 'Many years of my own life and hopes die with him', wrote Weber in August 1919; 1 a comment which conveyed not only his deep personal sorrow, but also his fundamental sympathy with Naumann's political aims. Such concord is rare in the history of Max Weber's relations with his political environment. He had, after all, a general reputation as an extremely strong-willed personality, not easily integrated into political categories or organizations.