Similarites Between the Theories of Max Weber and Karl Marx

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Max Weber and Karl Marx have often been regarded as influential theorists who both analyzed in how the society is constructed in relationship to its economic conditions, more specifically on the division of labour. Both the labour and economics create a force on how societies are shaped and because of that Weber and Marx each developed a unique theory on how individuals react and how societies are formed. Many individuals say that, Marx and Weber both analyzed similar ideas however, they both had two very different perspective on it. The disparity between the two theorists was not about the idea that division does not exist, but rather how society acknowledged and reacted to the division. Max Weber’s theory is that capitalist system is perceived to be key not only to societal progression but individuals as well, whereas Karl Marx seen the division of labour of the start to all social conflict throughout history. This paper examines the agreement and disagreement of social stratification and inequality by both Weber and Marx.

Max Weber’s main purpose of the theory goes on to explaining that, Class, Status, Party are what make up the structure of our society. Weber lays out the idea that society falls under these three categories and these structures make up our society. Though Weber believes that capital has a large role in the distribution of power, he also includes how economic inequality shapes class as well. In order for Weber to determine class he used three of the following principles: “When (1) a number of people have in common a specific casual component of their life chances, in so far as (2) this component is represented exclusively by economic interests in the possession of goods and opportunities for income, and (3)...

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...r main focus was on social stratification and inequality, they did not merely agree with each other, even though Marx’s idea influenced Weber. Karl Marx focused on the economic concerns on how society is shaped, whereas Max Weber focuses on the political aspect. Marx goes on to explaining that society is made up of two class systems, the bourgeoisies which are perceived to be the capital class and the proletarian, the working class. He argues that the ruling class (bourgeoisie) exploit the working class (proletarians) for their labour, also emphasizes that social classes were defined by the modes of production. For this reason, Marx thought of the division of labour to being a negative impact on the society because it forced individuals to be categorized into either the ruling class or the working class based on their skills and alienated individuals as well.

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