Question

Early Sociologists

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Choose one of the following early sociologists. Which of them is most relevant in understanding our current society in the United States and today’s world? Why? Make sure you offer a detailed set of arguments to support your position.

a) Auguste Comte
b) Jane Addams
c) Karl Marx
d) Max Weber
e) W.E.B. DuBois

Answer 1

Karl Marx is one of the most influencing figures in early sociology who came with strong criticism on the capitalist economies and how they exploit people. His primary contribution comes from his conflict theory which suggests that the society is in a perpetual conflict for the limited resources available where social order is maintained not through consensus but through domination. This would mean that the society is run by the power elites in whose hands the common men would suffer. This would mean that the means of production would lie in the hands of the wealthy who would frame policies and laws to further their interests while leave most of the people struggle. Second important concept is the labour struggle in the capitalist economies where people are treated like machines by keeping them away from their own work. This is brought out through his concept of alienation which means that people who work are not in anyway connected to the products they make, the company they work for and even they don’t feel any satisfaction from doing so because everything is defined by the owners as there is no scope for creativity. Both of his concepts are still relevant in today’s capitalist economy and individualistic cultures.

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