Is Marx Or Weber More Useful - 1524 Words

Essay Question: Is Marx or Weber more useful to analysing capitalism today? Capitalism is â€Å"a system of economic enterprise based on market exchange† (Giddens, 2009). Almost all industrial societies today are capitalistic in nature since their economic structures are based on free enterprise and market competition. However, capitalism first became the dominant mode of production over two centuries ago in Western society. Over this period, there have been some major theorists who have attempted to analyse capitalism and among these theorists are Karl Marx and Max Weber. Notwithstanding the obvious differences between Marx and Weber’s approach to capitalism, particularly with regards to the content of their analyses, their appraisal of capitalism is attached to a critical position (Craib, 1997). Both Marx and Weber agreed on the uniqueness of capitalism as an economic system. A system where: relations of production were concentrated in the hands of a rather small sector of the population; labour was performed by the masses of workers selling their services on a market; efficiency became a priority through which rationality and technological advancement were applied over religious and traditional values; and the critical goal at the end of economic behaviour was unrestricted wealth acquisition i.e. maximum profit (Birnbaum, 1953). It could not simply be simply treated as just a new economic system but a revolutionary mode of production which involved a new type of society.Show MoreRelatedMax Weber And Karl Marx On Modern Capitalism1510 Words   |  7 Pages Max Weber and Karl Marx on Modern Capitalism Anna Thor Sociology 475: Classical Sociological Theory Capitalism has continued to affect the way our society works as it is vital to our society. Two sociologists named Karl Marx and Max Weber have explained what they saw the historical emergence of modern capitalism. Both Karl Marx and Max Weber saw the significance of evolution of modern capitalism in the United States. Although both of the sociologists have differing views on how theyRead MoreMarx, Weber And Durkheim1714 Words   |  7 PagesMarx, Weber and Durkheim are the most important figures in sociology. You hear their names in all branches of sociology. These historical sociologists shaped the social structure in the modern world and are well known and still talked about today. Let’s take a glimpse at each of them. Emile Durkheim was a French sociologist; he is the founding figure in the sociology world and is also known as the father of sociology. He made sociology a science. He was interested in what held societies togetherRead MoreMarx Weber and Durkheim on Religion Essays1378 Words   |  6 PagesAll three main sociologist writers Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim offer different perspectives on religion and how important it is to society. Some of the theorists chose to have a positive view whilst others argue the unimportance of religion. This essay attempts to discover which theorist has the most accurate perspective of religion in modern times. This is done by firstly explaining the basic ideas regarding to religion put forward by Marx, Weber and Durkheim. Then both Marxs and DurkheimsRead MoreDurkheims Theories to Gender and Work1072 Words   |  4 Pagesas a group of people, not an individual. Marx Evaluation When applying Marx’s theories to gender and work, there were a few strengths and weaknesses. Alienation was a theory that just clicked for me when I was thinking of theories that apply to my topic. 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I will give comparison of Marx and Weber s perspectives on social class and inequality will be made, as we know it is quiet debatable on who s view is correct but I will compare and contrast the similarities and differences finally weighing up a discussion to see both sides of the views. The main difference between Marx Weber is that Marx concentrates on the hardship of class and he sees the economical status and ownership sideRead MoreThe Sociological Imagination Is Using Imaginative Thoughts And Processes Essay1302 Words   |  6 Pagesreason could be because I intend to work with people and while I am learning about the individual, I feel a need to learn about how society affects the individual as well. 3. The theory that has been influenced by Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim is 4. To Marx, capitalism is an economic system where the upper class exploits the lower, working class and conflict is inevitable. The alienation of the working class was caused by their labor. All they were to the upper class were just people who wanted to be