Sociological Theory:

Theory Comparison for One Case

This project extends the tradition of theory comparison in the contemporary history of theories to a comparison of sociological theories for one case. The problem so far was to convince the various sociological theories of an analysis of an joint example. Thus a project idea arose: at the last with its spectacular new construction the Potsdamer Platz in Berlin has fully become a historical, current, and future place of a real as well as imaginary topology of modernity. The project develops a thought experiment: to access this socio-cultural artifact, which embodies concentrated urbanity unlike any other and has therefore an exemplary status for the polyvalence of modernity, from different theoretical perspectives: Philosophical Anthropology, Rational-Choice Theory, Systems Theory, Cultural Studies, Critical Theory of Frankfurt School, Gender Studies, Discourse Analysis. It has two intentions which exceed a mere comparison of theory. On the one hand the multi-perspectival interpretation shall demonstrate the different perspectives of modernity as applied to a single shared case. On the other hand the theoretical perspectives, which are isolated from each other, shall prove analytically their value as different sociological theories of modernity for one case. Theory comparison for one case - a new way of dealing with the multi-paradigmatic status of sociology. This project was put to the test together with Michael Makropolous in different phases.

Annual conference of the German Sociological Association (GSA), Section of Cultural Sociology, Berlin 2002, together with Michael Makropolous: Potsdamer Platz. Theoretische Perspektiven zur Kultursoziologie eines Ortes der Moderne.

Der Potsdamer Platz als gesellschaftsdiagnostisches Artefakt, in: Ästhetik und Kommunikation, H 116, 33rd edition, spring 2002, p. 84 - 119.

Joachim Fischer/Michael Makropoulos (Hg.): Potsdamer Platz. Soziologische Theorien zu einem Ort der Moderne, München: Wilhelm Fink 2004.

Vergleich der Theorienvergleiche in der deutschen Soziologie, DGS Sektion "Soziologische Theorie" Tagung 17./18.6.2005, TU Dresden