The editing rules were first published in the so-called „Grüner Prospekt“ (Green Flyer) in May 1981, and they are stated at the end of each MWG volume. These rules are based on the German literature debates of the late 1970s surrounding the Deutsche Literaturarchiv in Marbach. In following the framework established in the editing of literary classics, the Max Weber-Gesamtausgabe has establised a new standard for social science classics.