Individual and society

‘Focuses on the social system as a whole and its functional requirements are normally that of structural sociology’ (Calhoun, C et al 2002) However Marxism a conflict theory of sociology takes exactly this focus when analysing how an individual creates an identity and relationship within society. Marxism as a Macro-theory of sociology focuses on ‘human agents as cogs in the machine of social forces’ (Calhoun, C et al 2002) who have little or no control over the development of their identities, because of the overpowering social superstructure which is dictating a social hierarchy of which they are forced to obey. This large scale view of society as over powering in the formation of one’s identity is not that taken by ‘Micro-sociologist who emphasise the social system as being a human creation, rather than one which is imposed on individuals by the system; thus micro sociologists see social order as being produced from below […] created and maintained by the institutions we actively produce.” (Calhoun, C et al 2002) It is this explanation of micro-sociologists like Mead which give room to theories like his of the symbolic self which belong within the category of action theories; and more closely associated with Symbolic Interactionism.

This essay will explore and analysis the theories put forward by both Marx and Mead in their approach to sociology and will more closely concentrate on their beliefs of how individuals form identities and relationships within society. Furthermore these essay will both compare and contrast these theorists in their politics and how these have affected modern day sociology with a final evaluation given to explain; the contemporary situation of each of these theories. Firstly though an introduction to briefly outline the basic principles behind each philosophy.

George Herbet Mead; an American Pragmatist and developer of the micro-social approach into the symbolic self through interaction and communication of individuals is critical

References: Geras, N. 1983. Marx and Human Nature: Refutation of a Legend. London: Verso Editions Gouldner, W. A. 1980 Alienation: From Hegel to Marx — Chapter 6, The Two Marxism’s. New York: Oxford University Press. Jones, P, Bradbury, L and Le Boutillier, S. 2011. Introducing Social Theory. 2nd Ed. Cambridge, Polity Press McLellan, D. 1995. The Thought of Karl Marx: An Introduction. London: Papermac Mead. H. G 2011 A Reader. Ed. by F.C. Silva. Routledge Miller, L. D, 1982. The Individual and the Social Self: Unpublished Works of George Herbert Mead, edited. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press Miller, L. D 1973 G.H. Mead: Self, Language and the World. University of Chicago Press Morris, C. W. 1934 Mind, Self, and Society: From the Perspective of a Social Behaviourist, edited, with an Introduction. Chicago: University of Chicago Press Roberts, B. 1977. George Herbert Mead: The theory and practice of social philosophy. [Online] London: LSE Online Research. Available at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/683/1/I%26C2_article4-Brian_Roberts_pp81-106.pdf [Accessed on 28 December 2013]