Early Sociological Theorists

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the beliefs of Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. The paper relates that Karl Marx was the founder of the conflict theory that proposed that competition among persons and groups for wealth and power is the basic process of a social structure. The paper looks at Emile Durkheim who developed the functionalist theory and established sociology as a quantitative, academic social science. Finally, the paper examines the works of Max Weber who contended that what was good for the bureaucracy was not always good for the society as a whole.

From the Paper:

"We are basically social beings in that most of our activities are interactions with other people (Jones 2003). What happens in those interactions is, therefore, of utmost importance to all who are interested in human life. Sociologists have endeavored to explain social facts according to theoretical frameworks, each with a particular way of viewing the world and the different aspects of society (Lambert 1998). These views explore the ways of society and provide a more universal grasp of social life. Sociologists have proposed to categorize these perspectives broadly into conflict, rational/utilitarian, and micro-interactionist thoughts (Lambert). Most of the early sociological commentators maintained a view, characterized by consensus."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Elwell, F. W. (2005). The classical tradition: Malthus, Marx, Weber and Durkheim. Roger State University, Colorado Paradigm Publishers
• Jones, R. (2003). Introduction to sociological theories. Polity.co.uk, American International Distribution. Retrieved March 13, 2007 from http://www.polity.co.uk/jones/pdf/chap1.pdf
• Knapp, P. (2007). Theory greats. Villanova.edu, Villanova University
• Lambert, L. (1998). Social Theory. Sociology : UTSA Style, University of Texas San Antonio
• O'Connor, T (2006). Conflict criminology. Megalinks in Criminal Justice, Austin Peay State University. Retrieved March 13, 2007 from http://www.apsu.edu/oconnor/crim/crimtheory15.htm

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