Politics as a profession - Politik als Beruf German

Written by M. Weber. Published in 1919. A passionate book that reflects on the politics of the new Germany during the turbulent period of defeat and revolution. After describing the characteristics of the three well-known types of rule - traditional, charismatic, and legalistic rule - Weber writes that Germany is in danger of a leaderless democracy, and that he is eagerly waiting for the emergence of a popular political leader who is supported by the masses and who considers politics to be his vocation (Beruf). He lists the qualifications of a political leader as being passionate about politics, responsible, and calm judgment that allows him to keep his distance from everything. He also argues that since politics is essentially in league with the devil known as violence, politicians who act according to an ethic of responsibility, which is prepared to take responsibility for foreseeable results, are superior to those who act according to an ethic of emotion that is indulged in romantic sentimentality. However, ethics of emotion and ethics of responsibility are not at all in conflict, and it is only when the two work together that true politicians who consider politics to be their vocation can be cultivated.

[Hiroshi Tanaka]

"Politics as a Vocation, translated by Keihei Wakita (1984, Iwanami Shoten)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

M・ウェーバー著。1919年刊。敗戦、革命という混乱期に新生ドイツの政治に思いをはせて論じた情熱の書。有名な支配の三類型――伝統的、カリスマ的、合法的支配――の特質を述べたのち、ドイツでは指導者なき民主制の危険性があるので、政治を天職(ベルーフ)と考える大衆の支持を受けた人民投票的政治指導者の出現を待望している。政治指導者の資格としては、政治への情熱、責任性、何事にも距離を置いてみる冷静な判断力をあげている。そして、政治の本質が暴力という名の悪魔と手を結んでいる以上、ロマンチックな感傷に浸る心情倫理よりも、予見しうる結果に責任を負う覚悟をもつ責任倫理によって行動する政治家のほうが優れている、としている。しかし、心情倫理と責任倫理とはまったく対立するものではなく、両々相まってこそ政治を天職とする真の政治家が育成されるとしている。

［田中　浩］

『脇圭平訳『職業としての政治』（1984・岩波書店）』

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