This book focuses on the important work of Karl Mannheim by demonstrating how his theoretical conception of a reflexive sociology took shape as a collaborative empirical research programme. The authors show how contemporary work along these lines, whether derived from Foucault, Bourdieu or other theorists, can benefit from the insights of Mannheim and his students into both morphology and genealogy.

David Kettler is Research Professor at Bard College and Professor Emeritus in Political Studies and Cultural Studies at Trent University. Recent book publications include 'Karl Mannheim and the Crisis of Liberalism' (with Volker Meja, 1995), 'Domestic Regimes, the Rule of Law, and Democratic Social Change' (2001), 'Adam Ferguson: Social and Political Thought' (2004) and 'Karl Mannheim's Sociology as Political Education' (with Colin Loader, 2002) Colin Loader is Professor of History at the University of Nevada, USA. Volker Meja is Professor of Sociology at the Memorial University of Newfoundland. St. John's, Canada. Recent book publications include 'Society and Knowledge: Contemporary Perspectives on the Sociology of Knowledge and Science' (2005) and 'The Sociology of Knowledge' (with N. Stehr, 1999). He is the editor with D. Kettler and N. Stehr of the previously unpublished German writings of Karl Mannheim, published in English as 'Structures of Thinking' (1982) and 'Conservatism' (1986). He has also authored 'Karl Mannheim and the Crisis of Liberalism' (with D. Kettler, 1995) and 'Modern German Sociology' (1987).

Introduction; Chapter 1 The Challenging Context; Chapter 2 Time and Place; Chapter 3 The Social Structure of Advancement; Chapter 4 The "Intensive Study Group" Around Karl Mannheim; Chapter 5 Norbert Elias and the Sociology of External Forms; Chapter 6 Hans Gerth and Hans Weil; Chapter 7 Käthe Truhel and the Idea of a Social Bureaucracy; Chapter 8 Natalie Halperin and Margarete Freudenthal; Chapter 9 Jacob Katz; Chapter 10 Nina Rubinstein; Chapter 11 Individual Projects and Orphans; Chapter 12 The Unfinished Business Between Karl Mannheim and Max Weber;