Compare and Contrast Marx and Weber's Analyses of the Develoopment of Capitalism Essay Example
Both Karl Marx and Max Weber have contributed substantially in our understanding of how capitalism has flourished in some parts of the world and not in others, however “Weber sought to show that the path of causation often ran in the reverse direction” to Marx. In other words, Marx’s macro theory (focus on the world, and not individuals) relies on the assumption that capitalism (its forces, relations and modes of production) supplies an idealistic society with norms, values and attitudes (brought by institutions such as family, education, religion, law, art etc) that enable capitalist means to flourish; it is a “cunning of production” where capitalism exploits, alienates and oppresses the masses. On the other hand Weber’s micro theory states that Religion, using the Calvinist Protestant ethic as a “principal cause of capitalism” as an example, has led to a moral calling which leads to class domination, power and status which leads to the development of capitalism. He also says that Capitalism is not all bad for society; it sustains levels of social integration where necessary roles perhaps good or bad have a function for the smooth running of the state; there is a “particular conjunction of social relationships and institutions” .
This essay will question what contemporary relevance both theories have today as society is becoming increasingly secularized and highlight some criticisms that have been noted by other sociologists including a “widespread feeling...contemporary social theory stands in need of a radical revision” , adding to this I will be identifying similarities and contrasting concepts within both theories. Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto and Capital in the late 19th century and Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in the early 20th century, this was during the time of industrialization and urbanization where both sociologists saw society as moving in a direction that was unsuitable for the masses and generating undesirable
This essay will question what contemporary relevance both theories have today as society is becoming increasingly secularized and highlight some criticisms that have been noted by other sociologists including a “widespread feeling...contemporary social theory stands in need of a radical revision” , adding to this I will be identifying similarities and contrasting concepts within both theories. Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto and Capital in the late 19th century and Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism in the early 20th century, this was during the time of industrialization and urbanization where both sociologists saw society as moving in a direction that was unsuitable for the masses and generating undesirable