ABSTRACT
Similarly to Weber’s, the life-work of Elias was launched by an insight into the connections between the past and the present. This was the recognition of close parallels between the absolutist court and modern civil society while the two were considered in a matter-of-fact way to be opposites, like religiosity and profit-making. The proper formulation these links and of the underlying problem of his work created much difficulty both for Elias and the reception of his work. Finally, in his quest, Elias drew much inspiration from the work of Weber.
