In the mid-eighties a first endeavour was initiated to institutionalise Tönnies studies. The Ferdinand Tönnies Society in Kiel and the later Ferdinand Tönnies Research Unit at the University of Hamburg Institute for Sociology undertook to process and promote the works of the Nestor of German sociology.

On the basis of the preparatory work done, a complete edition of Tönnies' works (TG) was planned in 24 volumes. This critical complete edition will include the published authentic and authorised German and foreign-language texts as well as hitherto unpublished material in so far as it is in independent literary form.

The first 22 volumes of the TG present the published works, the 23rd volume contains the un-published material, and the final volume provides the general indexes and lists. Besides the edited texts, the volumes contain list(s) of contents, a list of abbreviations and grammalogues, a critical apparatus, name and subject indexes, and a bibliography. The editor's preface gives brief information on sources, the condition of material, the degree of authorisation, and author corrections.