Max Weber’s typology of medieval cities and the origins of modern representation

ABSTRACT From the very outset of his work, Max Weber shows an intense interest for medieval cities and their role of transition to the modern era. His analysis focuses at first on economic aspects, but it progressively entails a sociological inquiry which provides an articulated typology of different kinds of cities in the Middle Ages, and a political analysis highlighting the origin of representative institutions at that time. In general, life in the city guaranteed individual freedom and instated a process of democratization, which simultaneously required new offices and institutions. In this context, Weber takes into account Italian local parliaments as well as the process of formation of the English Parliament. He also stresses the function exerted by the guilds in order to ensure forms of political organization and a purposeful representation of interests.