“Personality” as a Principle of Individual and Institutional Development Lorenz von Stein’s Institutional Theory of a “Labour-Society”

Abstract

Lorenz von Stein (1815-1890)¹ identified himself and his generation “between the epoches”. His theory reflects the impression of a chaotic “labyrinth of movements”. As a social historian and a social scientist von Stein understood himself as a neutral, objective observer outside and above the controversial social movements. In this consequence von Stein’s history of the “social movements” was followed by a pragmatical theory of public administration and of modera social policy. Stein kept his distance from the era of revolution and took a detached view of the programs of social movements ascribing their ideals to economical and social interests.