Karl Marx's Theory of Capitalism

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Karl Marx's Theory of Capitalism Marxism like functionalism is concerned with the overall picture of

society. Marxism is seen as a conflict theory, Mainly because they see

the primary interests of society as a whole as being made up of

conflicting groups with conflicting interests or beliefs.

We are a very materialistic society. A society made up of those who

have, and those who have not. Marxists sociologists say that there

will never be true social harmony because there are too many

inequalities within our cultural society.

Marx gave names to the haves and have nots, they are known as the

Bourgeoise and the Proletariats. One way of assessing the power of the

upper class is through the study of elites (people who fill the top

positions in each of the major institutions of society); most of the

sociological debates have centered on economic elites and political

elites. (Sociology in focus 5th Edition, 2000, page 53)

The main question asked by Marxist sociologists is how we all can

benefit equally and how can we get rid of the social inequalities

present in our society.

They differ form functionalists in the way that they see the

difference. Marxist sociologists see them as being persistent and not

just as a temporary state of affairs to be overcome. Their theories

state that for the superstructure to be effective, the infrastructure

must function effectively, therefore any changes no matter how small,

within the infrastructure will reflect in the superstructure causing

severe change and possible disturbances. If production costs rise

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but it has been used to disguise the true set of relations that

undergird capitalism.

Criticisms

Marx has faced a number of criticisms. Most importantly, actual

existing communism failed to fulfill its promise. Though these

experiments may have distorted Marx's thought, Marxist theory

certainly did not reflect its practice. Second, history has shown that

workers have rarely been in the vanguard of revolutionary movements,

and indeed have resisted communism in some places. Third, Marx failed

to adequately consider gender as factor in the reproduction of labor

and commodity production. Fourth, some have accused Marx of focusing

far too much on production, without giving enough attention to the act

of consumption. Last, Marx's historical materialist approach

uncritically accepts Western notions of progress.

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