Olaf Kühne is Professor of Urban and Regional Development at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany. Laura Leonardi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Florence, Italy.

• 1. Introductory Remarks.- 2. Biography Between Social Theory and Political Practice.- 3. Ralf Dahrendorf's Understanding of Science and the Position of Sociology in the Sciences.- 4. Conflict and Society.- 5. Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States.- 6. The 'Annoying Fact of Society': Norms and Roles in Homo Sociologicus.- 7. Individuals and Social Institutions: Contributions to Political Liberalism.- 8. Ligatures, Rights and Opportunities: The Development of Civil Society.- 9. Social Upheavals and the Precarious Conditions of Intellectuals and Domination.- 10. Dahrendorf's Critics and Parallels to Other Liberal Thinkers of the Present Day.- 11. The Topicality of Ralf Dahrendorf: A Conclusion.- 12. Literature.

Olaf Kühne is Professor of Urban and Regional Development at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany. Laura Leonardi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Florence, Italy.

• 1. Introductory Remarks.- 2. Biography Between Social Theory and Political Practice.- 3. Ralf Dahrendorf's Understanding of Science and the Position of Sociology in the Sciences.- 4. Conflict and Society.- 5. Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States.- 6. The 'Annoying Fact of Society': Norms and Roles in Homo Sociologicus.- 7. Individuals and Social Institutions: Contributions to Political Liberalism.- 8. Ligatures, Rights and Opportunities: The Development of Civil Society.- 9. Social Upheavals and the Precarious Conditions of Intellectuals and Domination.- 10. Dahrendorf's Critics and Parallels to Other Liberal Thinkers of the Present Day.- 11. The Topicality of Ralf Dahrendorf: A Conclusion.- 12. Literature.

Olaf Kühne is Professor of Urban and Regional Development at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Germany. Laura Leonardi is Professor of Sociology at the University of Florence, Italy.

• 1. Introductory Remarks.- 2. Biography Between Social Theory and Political Practice.- 3. Ralf Dahrendorf's Understanding of Science and the Position of Sociology in the Sciences.- 4. Conflict and Society.- 5. Dahrendorf and the Democracies in Germany and the United States.- 6. The 'Annoying Fact of Society': Norms and Roles in Homo Sociologicus.- 7. Individuals and Social Institutions: Contributions to Political Liberalism.- 8. Ligatures, Rights and Opportunities: The Development of Civil Society.- 9. Social Upheavals and the Precarious Conditions of Intellectuals and Domination.- 10. Dahrendorf's Critics and Parallels to Other Liberal Thinkers of the Present Day.- 11. The Topicality of Ralf Dahrendorf: A Conclusion.- 12. Literature.