Karl Marx and Max Weber

 Alex Gross

Mr. Roddy

IHSS

19 October 2020

Development of Sociology: Karl Marx vs. Max Weber

Karl Marx was a philosopher, economist, sociologist, and someone with very profound political views. He is best known for believing in two basic societal classes that set apart the workers and the owners. These two social classes were the Proletariat (workers) and the Bourgeoisie (owners/capitalists). He believed that the workers would eventually overturn the bourgeoisie which would destroy capitalist society. He also believed in the principles of communism, although he technically had his own ideology with these beliefs as the main principles called “Marxism”. He thought that after the capitalists were overthrown that communism would take over. Max Weber was someone who shared some similar beliefs to him but varied in specific when it came to social classes. Max Weber focused most of his work on criticizing the work of Karl Marx. He believed that while property and money are very important for social class that class also has to do with social status and influence. He also wrote a piece challenging Karl Marx’s view on religion in society. Overall they shared some beliefs but both advanced sociology by creating theories about socio economic ideologies that still exist today. 

Although the idea of communism has not thrived in history their ideas are still important. Looking at their opinions that were true in the past in comparison to today is very interesting. The strangest thing about this is that so many of their beliefs still apply to society today. Although these ideologies are dying out I would hope that people will still refer back to the work of Marx and Weber to see some of our mistakes in the past for what we can do better in the future.