THE WE-LEVEL OF GENERATIONS

This article examines the concept of generation in Elias's work. In so doing, it is found that thr concept of historical generation derived from Mannheim does not fit into the blueprint of Elias's theory of the civilizing process. This has to do with specific presumptions of this process sociology. Nevertheless, the conceptual tools applied by Elia s provide the means for psychoanalyzing the social in order to better understand the phenomenon of personal bonding to imagined reference gr oups. In this context, spacial focus is placed on the concept of the ' 'we-level.'' Following the reconstruction of the idea of an ineluctabl e dialectic of individualizational suitable ''we-concepts'' for a ''so ciety of individuals'' are sought. It is ultimately suggested that a c oncept of a post-national ''we-identity'' be derived from the generati onal problem.