This essay will aim to explain the main differences between Marxian, Durkheimian, and Weberian approaches to social inequality. It will begin with each Marx's approach to social inequality, which he believed economic factors to be the sole cause of this social phenomenon. Marx was born in the aftermath of the French revolution where the governing elite was overthrown by the bourgeoisie allowing capitalism to develop. This in turn gave rise to a new class where Marx put all his hope in. However, Marx envisaged an inevitable class conflict and an overthrow of the capitalist elite, but that still has not occurred. Next the essay will discuss Weber's approach to social inequality. Weber had the advantage of writing at a later period than Marx. He took into account more than just economic factors such as social status and parties as opposed to Marx, which allows for a more in depth explanation of social inequality. Then the essay will discuss Durkheims approach to social inequality. Durkheim also had the advantage of writing at a later period. He used the Division of Labour in Society to explain social inequality. His idea was that as society became more complex, the tasks in it became more specialised with unequal rewards as motivation for doing these tasks thus making society more and more stratified. Finally in the conclusion the essay will discuss the main differences between each of their approaches to social inequality.
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Social inequality did not exist in mans "natural" state because of the common control of resources allegedly characterised by the ownership of land by the total community with individual rights in tools, cultivation and the distribution of products. Those who laboured owned the land they laboured on, the requisite tools, their own labour power and had the rights in common over the distribution of the products. When any of these factors was altered so that only a few in society owned the land, inequality was born (Owen: 20).
These three theorist are Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. ... All three sociologists had their similarities and differences. ... Durkheim focused on the loss of connection between society and shared values. Marx witnessed separation between the capitalists and the working class. ... Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber all contributed to the heart of sociology. ...
According to Marx competition between workers alienated them for each other. ... Once again for Marx, the division of labour and conflict between capitalists and workers were crucial problems of modern society. ... The difference though, between these concepts lies in exploitation. ... In closing, both Marx and Durkheim were extraordinary thinkers and theorists. ... Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim have presented much thought, two views to think about and work around. ...
Durkheim and Marx are similar in this sense; they both have a very strong structural view, with limited possibility for human action, or little theory of human action. ... One difficulty with Durkheim and the structural functional approach is that the latter almost completely ignore conflict and power differences. ... Karl Marx Conflict and human domination were the heart of his theory. ... Property is the major difference between classes. Marx and Engel argue that property creates class division and causes conflict. ...
Comparing and contrasting Marx" belief on religion as a social opium, along with Emile Durkheim and Max Weber's understanding and account of religion within society. ... Marx thought that these nascent inequities of power and wealth went on to evolve over the centuries - first into the relationship between a master and his slaves, then that of a lord with his serfs, and finally manifested as that between a factory owner and his workers. ... Marx calls all these "superstructure," which he defines as those "whose main role it is to contain or provide a controlled release for the deep, ...
In what is regarded as his most influential work The Division of Labor in Society (1893) he argues that the form of social cohesion has changed from mechanical solidarity which is based on similarity between individuals to organic solidarity that is based on individual differences, due to increased division of labor, urbanization, and industrialization (Durkheim, 1893) . Mechanical and organic solidarity are Durkheim's equivalent of traditional authority and legal-rational authority (Weber) or feudalism and capitalism (Marx). ... Organic solidarity is a type of social cohesion based on...
According to Durkheim, men were creatures with desires that are unlimited. ... Durkheim's program of study only concerns the sources of social order and disorder. ... Durkheim had types of suicide according to their part in society. ... Men have to be in the happy medium between those two extremes. Durkheim also studied another form of suicide, altruistic suicide. ...
As the Industrial Revolution progressed through out the world, so did the gap between the class structures. ... At this time in history, social theorists like Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx challenged the aspect of social structure in their works. ... Both Durkheim and Marx were concerned with the characteristics of groups and structures rather than with individuals. ... He thought the model for the relationships between people and the supernatural was similar to the relationship between individuals and the community. ... Social thinkers like Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx have spent their entir...
As the Industrial Revolution progressed through out the world, so did the gap between the class structures. ... At this time in history, social theorists like Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx challenged the aspect of social structure in their works. ... Both Durkheim and Marx were concerned with the characteristics of groups and structures rather than with individuals. ... He thought the model for the relationships between people and the supernatural was similar to the relationship between individuals and the community. ... Social thinkers like Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx have spent their entir...