“Throughout this book I have tried to point out why interest, especially as it has been used by people such as Hume, Smith, Tocqueville, and Weber, is still a very useful concept. One reason why the concept of interest imparts a distinct dynamic to the analysis is that it is mainly interest which makes people takes action. It supplies the force that makes people get up at dawn and work very hard throughout the day. Combined with interests of others, it is a force that can move mountains and create new societies.” InterestAdam SmithDavid HumeEconomic SociologyMax WeberAlexis De Tocqueville Book:Principles of Economic Sociology Source: Principles of Economic Sociology
“Interests are what drives the actions of individuals at some fundamental level. Furthermore interests are intensely social phenomena. Other individuals have to be taken into account when an actor attempts to realize her interests; there is also the fact that interests are socially defined.” InterestEconomic Sociology Book:Principles of Economic Sociology Source: Principles of Economic Sociology