Dialektik der Kommunikationsgesellschaft. Richard Münch (1991). Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp. 397 Pages. ISBN 3-518-28480-0.
Reviewed by Pablo B. Markin, DAAD Center for German Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Richard Münch’s 1991 Dialektik der Kommunikationsgesellschaft [The Dialectics of Communication Society (my translation)] makes notable contributions to sociological theory, historical and comparative sociology, and sociological analysis of contemporary society that may not be familiar to non-German readers. This review seeks to introduce his work by summarizing his argument that a scholarly grasp and analysis of the complexity of social interdependence is only possible with the help of theoretical points of view that bring the comprehensive scale of economic, political, social and cultural processes together.
[CC image: Paul-Löbe-Haus by warein.holgado]
Of particular interest to scholars of space and culture, Münch’s (1991) theorization of interrelations among modernity, accumulation, and action offers a perspective that clarifies economic, social, cultural, and political transitions taking place in cities. In this regard, cities stand out as historical crystallization points of cultural accumulation. Münch comments that “[i]t was, moreover, cities and the special nature of their life that has played a decisive role in a further renewal of Western culture: The Enlightenment and modernity were decisively brought about through them. [...] Once created, culture gives to corresponding urban life a long-lasting continuity” (my translation, Münch 1991: 231).
Furthermore, he argues that without an integrative frame of social theoretical reference, sociological accounts miss the relationally interwoven and socially dynamic existence of their subject matter (Münch 1991: 19-20). According to Münch, the present development of modernity brings about an unlimited reproduction, acceleration, compression, and globalization of communication. Permeating society to an unprecedented extent, communication needs to increase its scope and become more complex to overcome the corresponding loss of its effectiveness. An unintended consequence of its intensification is that communications deepen social contradictions by creating inflationary pressure on media of interchange, such as money, power, reputation and expertise. Social contradictions become more acute as continuous communication is integrated into modern culture. As controversies, conflicts, and disagreements become commonplace, the devaluation, inflation, and impoverishment of communication derail effective communication with violent reactions, power-accumulation strategies, and communication breakdowns coming in its stead (Münch 1991: 22).
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