The article analyses the Michael Löwy’s work upon the concept of “elective affinity” used by Max Weber. We draw upon Löwy’s articles presenting his attempt to build an effective contribution to a more clear definition and use of the concept. The article points out some of the arguments put forward by his critics displaying what would be Löwy’s formulation limits. As an introduction we present the sociological context of the most famous appearance of the concept in the Max Weber’s book The protestant ethics and the “spirit” of capitalism which has been serving for Löwy’s research and developments.
Elective affinity; Michael Löwy; Max Weber; Protestant ethics; Social theory