A comparative critique of (1) SA 0508-A9476, & (2) R. Dahrendorf's DIE ANGEWANDTE AUFKLAERUNG. GESELL - SCHAFT UND SOZIOLOGIE IN AMERIKA (The Applied Enlightenment. Society and Sociology in America) (Piper, Muenchen, 1963). Lipset presents 2 basic themes, ie, 'Amer exceptionalism & the conditions required for a stable democracy, while Dahrendorf offers a kaleidoscopic picture of the US of sociol'ts. Dahren dorf is the more objective of the 2, since his is the perspective of an outside observer while Lipset sees from the inside out. For Lipset, the main point of departure is cultural, ie, 'equality & achievement'. Dahrendorf sees the underlying rationality & pragmatism in US society. Despite diff's in their approaches & objectives, 2 common points are seen: (A) the undeniable influence of A. de Tocqueville's DE LA DEMOCRATIE EN AMERI- QUE (Democracy in America), which strengthens Lipset's thesis of equality & achievement while having in common with Dahrendorf the quality of 'outside observer'; & (B) by virtue of their analysis of fundamental values, not merely instit's, both writers contribute to those values. A. Chapman.
