The highlight of this issue is the translated protocol of Max Weber's remarks on technology and culture presented at the German Sociological Society in 1910; in his reply to a lecture by Sombart, Weber argues in favour of a value-free sociology which is able to address the social and cultural conditions of the modern city life. His reflections on the impact of technological evolution on artistic development, drawing in particular on music development, thus exemplify his approach to a sociology of the arts.

Another interesting article deals with the effects of hybridisation of culture due to globalisation; the author explores hybridity in contemporary artistic practice and identifies the consequences for the classical conception of culture: a new cultural and political framework is indeed required.

Worth attention is furthermore Tobias' analysis of Foucault's ideas on freedom - in particular the psychological, economic and social well-being as prerequisite for self-determination - highlighting the points of convergence with contemporary thinkers such as Amartya Sen.

Also of interest might be the paper by Swanson who suggests a new approach on the interconnections among economics, politics and culture.

To view the publisher's online table of contents with abstracts, please click on this external link.