Este texto objetiva resgatar, de maneira exploratória, algumas reflexões pioneiras de Durkheim e Weber a respeito do mercado. No quadro da atual efervescência da nova sociologia econômica, argumentamos que Durkheim e Weber iniciaram o estudo sociológico do mercado em termos de construção social. De fato, ambos mostraram que os interesses econômicos e os meios adequados para sua busca são definidos socialmente, isto é, pelas instituições. Em particular, as regras tradicionais, morais e jurídicas são vistas como condicionantes básicos da regulação do mercado. Além disso, iniciando uma reflexão considerada hoje fundamental, ambos apontaram para o papel do Estado, cuja importância reside menos numa regulação direta da economia do que na difusão de valores sociais fundamentais.
This text aims to revive, in an exploratory manner, some of the pioneering reflections of Durkheim and Weber in relation to the market. From the viewpoint of the current excitement in the field of the new economic sociology, we argue that Durkheim and Weber were responsible for originating the sociological study of the market as a social structure. In fact, they both showed that economic interests and the means by which they may be adequately pursued are defined socially, by institutions. In particular, traditional, moral and legal rules are seen as basic conditions for the regulation of the market. Moreover, giving rise to a reflection which today is seen as fundamental, both pointed towards the role of the State, the importance of which consists less in a direct regulation of the economy than in the diffusion of essential social values.
Ce texte prétend récupérer, de façon exploratoire, quelques réflexions pionnières de Durkheim et Weber à propos du marché. Dans le cadre de l'actuelle effervescence de la nouvelle sociologie économique, nous soutenons que Durkheim et Weber ont commencé l'analyse sociologique du marché en termes de construction sociale. En fait, tous deux ont montré que les intérêts économiques et les moyens adéquats pour les atteindre sont définis socialement, c'est-à-dire, par les institutions. Les règles traditionnelles, morales et juridiques sont, en particulier, considérées comme des éléments fondamentaux de la régulation du marché. En outre, en débutant une réflexion considérée, aujourd'hui, essentielle, tous deux insistent sur le rôle de l'État, dont l'importance réside moins dans une régulation directe de l'économie que dans la diffusion de valeurs sociales fondamentales.
