Differences between Marx, Durkheim, & Weberian app to socia
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 motiv
Emile Durkheim was a member of the functionalist strain of sociology, which provides the present source of stimulation for research into this topic. In the functionalist approach, society is seen as resembling a living organism. To keep a living organism alive different parts of the organism must fulfil certain tasks (Hess: 37). Similarly in society, members of society must perform certain tasks to keep society functioning properly and that no society can survive without exhibiting social stratification. Durkheim based his analysis in the Division of Labour in Society on his conception of two ideal types of society. The more primitive society characterised by mechanical solidarity (Ritzer: 81) or a set of rules and regulations which structure social life and which influence the individuals’ life (Hess: 38) has a relatively undifferentiated society with little or no division of labour. The more modern society characterised by organic solidarity with a high division of labour. A high division of labour would instil in individuals the desire to occupy certain positions in society with unequal rewards for filling more and less important positions in society, thus causing social inequality. According to Weber, it is possible to determine a class situation by locating groups in their relationships to the market. Thus, class is defined, firstly through individuals who have a common fate in terms of their life chances; secondly, through securing the same income as they share the same economic interests; and thirdly, through being in the same position in the way they offer their labour power as a commodity to the market. Now the essay will compare each of these perspectives on social inequality. Marx was not a sociologist, yet much of his works had a profound influence on sociology. His unique approach to the critique of political economy is a model that takes into account conflict and change- both leading to historical progress (Hess: 14). The capitalist/worker dichotomy did not need, as he saw it by separate explanations on the basis of power, prestige or anything else.
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Approximate Word count = 1481
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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