At the 1999 Max Weber Studies Group (a sub-group of the British Sociological Association) it was decided that the papers of the group's bi-annual conference should be published in a specialised journal. Previous conferences had been published in book form by Macmillan and Routledge, but it was felt that a journal format was more appropriate. More internationally, there was a felt to be a need for a publication that would meet the growing body of work concerned with Max Weber.

Since its appearance in 2000, the journal has established itself as the premier forum for international debate in Weber studies. While previously published by Sheffield Academic Press and then by Continuum Books, the journal is now published independently. As such it is reliant on the support of the academic community, and it will seek to reach and engage the widest possible readership.

The journal is committed to the development and dissemination of Weber scholarship and to promote this on a world-wide basis. In particular it seeks:
· scholarly papers on the interpretation of his work
· the translation of Weber's writings into English and the review of the international literature on Weber
· the application of Weberian ideas in the contemporary world
· work in the field of historical sociology as well as cultural and religious analysis
· articles that can stimulate and clarify the learning of students.