Karl Marx Karl Marx was a German sociologist who contribution to sociology is known as Marxism (Rubel, 1968). Marx’s influence paved the way to a new theoretical perspective known as conflict theory. Unlike Durkheim, this paradigm suggests that society has conflict due to specific groups struggling to obtain scarce resources (Lindsey et al, 2009). Marx looked at two classes, the bourgeoisie, also known as the capitalist, and the proletariat, also known as the working class. He stated that the economic structure is the reason for the inequality and that those who have wealth have the power to control society (Coser, 1968). Therefore, social systems do not create equality among social groups (Lindsey et al., 2009). Furthermore, Marx’s envisioned …show more content…
In W.A. Darity Jr. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (2008 ed., Vol 2, pp 465-467). Detroit: Macmillan Reference Emile Durkheim. In In W.A. Darity Jr. (Ed.), International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (2008 ed., Vol 3, pp 231-233). Detroit: Macmillan Reference Lindsey, L.L., Beach, S., & Ravelli, B. (2009). Core concepts in sociology. Toronto, ON: Pearson Canada Inc. Further readings Durkheim, E. (1895). The rules of the sociological method. New York, NY: Free Press Durkheim, E. (1897). Suicide. New Fetter Lane, London: Routeledge Durkheim, E. (1893). The division of labour in society. New York, NY: Free Press George Hebert Blumer George Herbert Mead was a huge influence in sociology. One of his contributions to the discipline of sociology is symbolic interactionism. This theoretical perspective differs from functionalism and conflict theory as it is a micro-level of sociology (Lindsey et al., 2009). Symbolic interactionism takes into account people’s motives, culture, social interactions, and so forth, in order to explain reality (Swanson, 1968). For instance, when somebody meets a stranger, in Western culture, it is common to give handshakes, however in some eastern culture, people bow. Symbolic interactionism indicated that how a society maintains order differs from one place to another (Lindsey et al., 2009). Therefore, to understand a society or even an individual, you must try to understand where they come from, their values, beliefs, customs and so forth (Swanson