Norbert Elias

German sociologist (1897–1990)

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Lived 1897–1990, aged 93United Kingdom

United Kingdom AcademicsAcademic

Wikipedia
45 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1897–1990
Aged 93
Awards
6
recognised works

Summary

Updated 2026-06-09

The sociologist who argued that Western manners — forks, handkerchiefs, the whole apparatus of polite restraint — weren't natural refinements but historical accidents, produced by shifting power structures and the slow monopolization of violence by the state.

Biography

About

Born in Germany on 22 June 1897, Norbert Elias trained as a sociologist in a Europe that would soon try to destroy him. He fled the Nazis, eventually landing in Britain and taking citizenship in his adopted country. There he developed his theory of civilizing and decivilizing processes — the idea that what we call civilization is neither progress nor inevitable, but a fragile outcome of social forces that can reverse. The work made him famous, though recognition came late. He died on 1 August 1990, having watched the twentieth century test his thesis in blood.

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Norbert Elias

Norbert Elias

said1939

The psychogenesis of the adult make-up in civilized society cannot, therefore be understood if considered independently of the sociogenesis of our "civilization." ...

— p. xi

Norbert Elias

said1939

If the present study has any significance at all, this results not least from its opposition to this mingling of what is and what ought to be, of scientific analysis with ideals.

— p. 468

Norbert Elias

saidundated