The specific way of individualization in Germany: a culture-theoretical comparison to the USA

Abstract

"The paper examines the sociological reflections of individualization processes in Germany and the USA. In this comparison it appears that German sociology identifies a 'dialectical individualization' whereas sociology in the US ascertains a 'social individualization'. It is elaborated that the actual cause for this difference (which is important for, but mostly ignored in the public-political discourse) is on the one hand the relative cultural inheritance, and on the other hand the developments of post World-War II. Thus, the example of individualization shows that sociological theory has to be more sensitive towards cultural idiosyncrasies and towards specific historical steps in development." (author's abstract)