Marx and weber
Introduction
History is simply studying past events. The events are usually unique with specific activities, making them stand out. Various concepts can change the course of history as times passes by. Major events, can cause historical change. However, in this essay will dwell on historical change in relation to Marx and Weber. Weber does not have an intention or aim of pursuing a path of determinism, instead he seeks to know and acquire the knowledge of capitalism within the historical situation or contexts. In terms of their historical frameworks, both try to focus on diachronic evaluations of history therefore, they both facilitate its change. They try to understand the link between modern capitalism and historical situations
Weber is a history sociologist writer. He conceptualizes that cultural values and norms led to the advancement and development of modern capitalism. He traces ethics back into the 18th century when exemplified by use of numbers, ethics stripped off its link to salvation, and the struggle for finances became more common. In Weber modern times, capitalism was manifesting into a compulsory system that was deeply and socially rooted in the society. No one could escape from its jaws (Weber, p 14).According to Weber; a man with finances had total control over other people. Moreover, the less fortunate relied on him to earn a living. The situation was not likely to change in the near future. In fact, the off spring of the rich will multiply the previous wealth they inherited from their ancestors (Weber, p 15).
Marx applied his dialect philosophy concepts for understanding the modern community in addition, used it to evaluate and examine social alterations within the society. He believed that there are various differences that operated as dynamic forces in the procedure of social advancement .He connected his concepts to the evolution of modern societies, which assisted him to come up with a specific contradiction between human and nature and capitalistic labor that is, alienation. Marx believed that labor was no longer creative but was isolated from human nature under capitalism. Employees no, longer worked to fend for themselves but they worked for the capitalists who have employed them. The workers also had to pay for the products they had played a part to produce in the farms (Marx and Engel, p 17).
Weber ideology of social process of modernity is rational social activities. Weber claimed that social systems and historical alterations should be considered as sophisticated patterns of the subjective definitions of single actions. This means causal or explanations to the social procedures are determined by personal interpretations or understandings of their own social choices. Social actions are considered the most important concepts (Weber, p 14).
On the other hand, Marx has his own unique perspective .While He does not dwell much into historical situations, which led to the creation of capitalism, he has a perspective that takes the same angle as Weber. He tries to understand modern-day capitalism, its impacts on the society and its evolution .Marx evaluation on capitalism is historical in nature. He elaborates on the alienated state of modern day society by the study and examination of previous history materials. The experiences are key in his analysis on capitalism. Marx for instance, comes up with two groups: works and capitalists under the capitalist system. He further explained that a capitalistic state enforces the groups mentioned above .Hence, just like weber, he puts into context the origin of modern capitalism by delineating the historical process that facilitated it into its existence in the modern society (Marx and Engel p 25).
There is an obvious distinction between the two when it comes to historical evaluation. Weber claims that culture causes or motivates economic conditions while Marx suggests that economic conditions are because of society and culture hence they manifest themselves within the society .However the two theorists’ concepts can intertwined together. The two exposed economic and culture as drivers of historical change respectively. While it is tempting to take a different perspective and claim that the two theorists were suggesting that social and economic conditions influence a society, it is also vital to recognize that both Weber and Marx consider human emotions and other characteristics in their analysis. This helped to shape both culture and capitalism (Weber 45).
Marx debated that political authority comes from the economic power of the rich or ruling upper class community, in other words form ownership and control of the means of manufacturing. He also says that social institutions are influenced or impacted by economic determinants and thus the ruling class usually have a heavy influence on these institutions .Hence this social institutions facilitate the ruling class by providing them with the tools they need to succeed in dominating and oppressing the lower classes whom they refer as subjects (Marx and Engel, p 133).
Works cited
Weber, M .The Protestant Ethic and the spirit of Capitalism. London and New York: Routledge, 2010.
Marx and Engel, F. The German Ideology. New York: International Publishers, 1947.
