Analysis of the Main Strengths and Weaknesses of Marx’s Sociological Thought

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Analysis of the Main Strengths and Weaknesses of Marx’s Sociological Thought

“The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class

struggles”

Marx and Engels (1967, p.67)

Born in 1818, Karl Marx, using his philosophical and socialist ideas,

attempted to show how conflict and struggle in social development were

important in the development of a society. The works of Marx were

influenced by three distinct intellectual traditions: German idealist

philosophy, French socialism and British political economy. German

idealist philosophy is an approach based on the thesis that only the

mind and its content really exist. This philosophy maintains that it

is through the advance of human reason that human beings progress.

French socialism is a political doctrine that emerged during the

French Revolution and emphasised social progress led by a new

industrial class. British political economy was brought about by the

social analysis of early capitalism by writers such as Adam Smith and

David Ricardo. (Bilton, Bonnett, Jones, 2002, p.476) Using these

concepts as a base to his theories, Marx further argued against the

capitalist regime and was a firm believer of the revolution of the

workers which would one day bring about the destruction of capitalism.

Marx was also influenced by the philosophical ideas of Georg W.F.

Hegel. However, unlike Hegel who was an idealist Marx was a

materialist as he believed that the processes of reality as real,

concrete existences in the social world. Hegel believed that although

these processes were dynamic, they were an expression of development

rather than being solid.

To Marx, history d...

... middle of paper ...

...67

Jon Elster, Making sense of Marx, Cambridge University press 1985

C.Slaughter, Marxism and the class struggle, New Park Publications LTD

1975

Tony Bilton, Kevin Bonnett, Pip Jones etc.. Introductory Sociology 4th

edition, Palgrave Macmillan 2002

Gregor McLennan, The Story of Sociology

Ken Morrison, Marx Durkheim Weber, Sage publications LTD 1995

Fulcher&Scott, Sociology 2nd edition, Oxford university press 2003

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[1] German Ideology, pp.8-13

[2] Karl Marx: Selected Writings in Sociology and Social Philosophy,

p.150, Pelican books 1963

[3] ibid, p107

[4] Karl Marx: Selected Writings in Sociology and Social Philosophy,

p.177, Pelican books 1963

[5] Essential writings of Karl Marx; p176; Panther Books Ltd ,1967

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