Download Social Change - Introduction to Sociology

SOCIAL CHANGE
The great debate Marx and Weber
There is a rift between two of the biggest
sociologists on what causes social change
As a sociologist you need to understand BOTH of
their theories
KARL MARX


Has 10 stages of REVOLUTIONARY social
change
The Communist Manifesto


Wrote with Fredrick Engels
Economy is the basis for
all social chance
STAGE #8- ADVANCED CAPITALISM
Two social classes are in conflict
Bourgeoisie
Proletariat

Proletariat are alienated

They are exploited by the bourgeoisie and in false
consciousness


False consciousness- when the bourgeoisie are being used,
yet they do not know they’re being exploited
Marx focuses on the role of religion in this
process
THE END OF ADVANCED CAPITALISM

A couple bourgeoisie abandon their class and
attempt to help the proletariat move from false
consciousness to true consciousness


How? They teach the proletariat about how they’re
exploited
The proletariat rise up and start a workers
REVOLUTION
STAGE #9- SOCIALISM

This stage is the ‘working it out’ stage

Why?
Not intended for everyone to be equal
 More equal than advanced capitalism

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIALISM
ACCORDING TO MARX (AND ENGLES)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Abolish private ownership of money and land
Abolish inheritance rights
Free public schools for all kids
Heavy progressive income tax on all citizens
Heal the urban-rural split
Centralization of banking/monetary issues by
federal government
Government owns all the means of production
Confiscation of emigrants’ property
Each person would work according to his/her
capability
Centralization of communication and transportation
issues by the federal government
STAGE #10- COMMUNISM

How do we move from socialism to communism?
Socialism withers away- and communism begins

Each person is equal in power, income, etc.

There are no
Social classes
 Power differences between people

RELIGION IN SOCIALISM AND COMMUNISM


Marx feels that religion
does not NEED to be in
socialism or communism
IF there is religion then it
is only acceptable if the
religion promoted equality
for all

This means no difference in
power based in religion
MAX WEBER

Change in society can be
any social institution
THE PROTESTANT ETHIC &
THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM


Weber’s work that disproved
Marx’s theory that an economic
system could be the only
base of society
Completed about 50 years after
Marx’s death
THE PROTESTANT ETHIC

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Based on the 5 beliefs of Calvanism
There is one-all powerful God, who
Predestines each person to either heaven or hell
While on earth, each person should glorify God
Each individual is supposed to work in their
calling
Everyone should practice asceticism
Official beliefs vs. unofficial beliefs
THE SPIRIT OF CAPITALISM
1.
The pursuit of profit is ethical
2.
Pursuit of maximum profit is ethical
3.
Practice double entry bookkeeping
What happens when the protestant ethic meets the
spirit of capitalism?
HOW DID WEBER PROVE MARX WRONG?
MARX
WEBER
FULL
BLOWN
PE & CAPITALISM
WEBER
QUESTIONS?