Marxist Theory

Paper Summary:

Marxist theory explains social structure through class struggle. One class exploits the product of the labor of another class in order to prosper. This paper further discusses the theory, contrasts it with functionalist theory, explores its roots and possible future, and discusses scholarly opinions about Marxist theory.

From the Paper:

"In Contemporary Sociological Theory, Wallace and Wolf define Marxist theory as a sociological theory that identifies economic factors as the fundamental determinant of social structure and change (Wallace and Wolf 78-79). For ages sociologists have been concerned with the study of human society and social behavior. From these studies they have derived theories to explain the formation and continuation of social structure as well as human behavior within that structure. According to Marxist theory, economics shapes our society and determines our interests. As a result of economic factors, classes are formed and conflicts arise. According to Marxist theory, this happens because one class cannot make economic gains without exploiting another class. When the exploitation becomes evident, the classes will struggle for power."

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