Sociology Theories of Marx, Weber and Durkheim
Sociological Theories
Karl Marx sociology theory mainly focused on understanding the relationship between the small group who owned the means of production and the poor class who were exploited by the capitalists. He suggested that there was instability of the capital and he anticipated on its downfall and how it will shift to socialism. According to Marx the economy was not stable and was it likely to be affected by significant crises. Those who were in charge of the mode of production, have authority to control other people in the society. He felt that there is hostility created by these two groups. He believed that in the long- term the capitalist class would be the only one who will benefit from the production and the poor class would be deprived by the process. However, when the poor class would become aware of the exploitation, they will unite and rise and take hold of the mode of production, thus getting lead of capitalist method of production and socialist society would be established ( Furseth & Repstad,2017).
After the development of socialist society the poor class would ensure there is equality, exploitative capitalism is abolished, and they will establish a system of production which favors every person. The inequalities that existed between these two classes are the transfer of ownership of the production. Marxism theory holds that human societies developed through a class struggle. The Marx was trying to understand the means of production, the relationship between society and economics and historical materialism. Marxist sociology addressed how the capital class controls the workers. He believed that history is made of stages which push the class conflict. The capitalist’s class ensured there is competition to accumulate profits and they also mistreated the working people in the workplace (Allan, 2012).
Max Weber sociology theory attempted to understand how the larger organizations and the larger structures affect people’s live and how rapid changes affects them. Marx felt that the economic structures are caused by the establishment of the modes of production and the capital class or the owners. The economic structures were of great importance in forming the accurate position of given communities. For example, structures such as status, religion, ideas and bureaucracy influences people actions (Dillon, 2010). He viewed that structures of society are influenced by sociology and historical factors. Weber believed that religion has a great force in causing social changes. According to Collins (p.92), “Max Weber viewed that a charismatic leader will take over the power and solves the problems of social class.”
Durkheim sociology theory mainly focused on analysing how the modern societies can sustain social integration. He believed that society has power force that affects an individual in a given society. People from different ethnicity have their beliefs, values, and norms that help them understand the universe differently. Culture is an output made by how people do their things and through their norms and beliefs, human beings become aware other human beings. Durkheim believed that social integration bond people together to their social group. He believed that individual behaviour or actions are influenced by social factors. He did a study of suicides rate among different individuals where he noticed that social factors contributed to suicide and crimes (Symonds, 2016).
The similarity between these three theories is the connection and disconnection of people with the society and the state. Marx suggested the separation of capitalist’s class and working class and workers and co-workers. Durkheim advocated for the connection of the society and shared principles. Weber viewed that people no longer focused on values, feelings, and passions. They also had differences on how the alienation can be solved. Marx suggested that separation can be addressed through overproduction which will cause class-consciousness which will contribute to the revolution in the working class. Durkheim saw that the society system would slowly adapt to changes and get used to them through diversity which will unite people together. Weber felt that a good leader will solve the problems of social changes. Durkheim viewed that division in class is important because it caused interdependence. Durkheim felt that problem was created by the lack of the usual social or principles of a given society which affects the communities that are disorganized(Allan,2013) For, instance, in the past families and religions used to have a structured system where every member had a role to play in the society. But due to changes in cultural, and technology new changes have arisen and people are caught off-guard, causing many to feel unwanted (Garner & Hancock, 2014.Weber suggested that political caused the alienation. He thought that people no longer have the principles and emotions to question the authority this happens when people find it okay to obey without checking the legitimacy of the systems According to Durkheim, capitalism unites and brings people together. Max believed that capitalism is not a good thing and it creates division in the society.
References
Allan, K. D. D. (2012). Explorations in Classical Sociological Theory: Seeing the Social World
Allan, K., & Allan, K. (2013). Contemporary social & sociological theory: Visualizing social worlds.
Dillon, M. (2010). Introduction to sociological theory: Theorists, concepts, and their applicability to the twenty-first century. Chichester, U.K: Wiley-Blackwell.
Farris, S. R. (2013). Max Weber's theory of personality: Individuation, politics and orientalism in the sociology of religion.
Furseth, I., & Repstad, P. (2017). An introduction to the sociology of religion: Classical and contemporary perspectives.
Garner, R., & Hancock, B. H. (2014). Social theory: Continuity and confrontation: a reader.
Symonds, M. (2016). Max weber's theory of modernity: The endless pursuit of meaning. Routledge.
