Classical Sociological Theory Study Guide

The Classical Sociological Theory: A Summary Of the Whole

The study of society would not be complete without the classical sociological theory formulated by the three founders of sociology, namely Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx. The ideas and concepts of these three built the foundations of sociology. Without them, it would be very difficult to understand the society and how people inside it interact and form relationships.

Emile Durkheim, a French sociologist and the second to exist among the three, introduced the concept of social facts. As defined by Durkheim himself, social facts are 'things' that were honed by potent institutions (e.g. church, media, and government) which directly affect each individual inside the society

He noted that as there is a division of labor (as formed by Durkheim), bureaucracy should be established within an organization for it to function thoroughly. This includes the existence of hierarchy inside the society, and the responsibility of each individual. This launches the idea of efficiency inside an organization, particularly the government. Weber believes that everyone should function and will function inside the society. It must be a good idea but the concept if far from reality as it introduces as to the Utopian world where there is perfection as everything functions

According the Marx' Historical Materialism, everything started with primitive communism wherein beings are all equal and free. A study by Lewis Morgan, an anthropologist, stated that eventually, people developed into intellectuals, however, not everyone developed equally, and this caused some of them to be exploited. There was also a clash of tribes as resources in their place were vanishing because of consumption. Later on, losing tribes became the slaves and the strong ones became the master. This is when the Slave System began. Slaves continued to hunt and gather for their masters, until these slaves had an idea to own lands. Although not everyone, but most of the slaves became land owners. This ownership of land started the Feudalism system, and the classes became the slave and landlords. Because of the high demand for production, barter system or trade system flourished and eventually, the cash system began. The existence of cash inside the society slowly introduced the capitalist society. For Marx, this form of society is a form of injustice as workers and farmers are being exploited. This is when he introduced his theory of Alienation. This theory explains the state of the workers inside the factory, as they are being treated as machines by the capitalist. They are being detached to their own