Weber and Marx's Perspectives on the Economic and Social Environment
Weber and Karl provide different perspectives in examining both the economic and social environment. It is through Weber's ideologies that an account on the commencement of capitalism and socialism entails an antithesis of Marx's theory. The opposing theories derive from the diversity in assumptions about the aspects of social development. Marx declares that the notion of dialectical materialism prevails whereby the dominating social and economic aspects of production can lead to class struggle and shape the structure of the society. On the other hand, Weber emphasizes the notion of dialectical idealism. Weber emphasizes that social development depends on the dominative ideologies. The differences between the two theorists are essential towards developing an in-depth comprehension of the social theories surrounding class, feminism, and racism. Through the theoretical analysis of capitalism, it is clear that the two theorists generate insight into the social implications that lead to both negative and positive implications on the people. The theoretical implications of a capitalist analysis of the economy, therefore, generate insight into the underlying social issues such as class struggle.
Classism
Marx emphasizes that the evolution of the economic and social environment originates from the rigid laws that led to the development of class issues. Marx's greatest contribution denotes the discovery of both science and the need for social change (Hirschman, 1993). The origins of a capitalist society should be sought through the evaluation of both the material and economic development of the society. Marx makes the observation that the dominant way of production is the acquired force (Lamb, 1985). Within a social system, whereby an individual is born, a person has to conform to the set social guidelines. The origin of capitalist perspective can be found within the immediate historical context. Nonetheless, the proceeding mode of production that emerges is the feudal approach to the analysis of class.
A feudal approach features an individual who has to grapple with the underlying social issues that impact the execution of different roles and responsibilities for personal growth. The prospect of classism emanates from the restricted labor with the notion of immediate consumption; an aspect of limiting personal growth. Through the producers or the lords, Marx establishes that classism is bound to emerge. Across the capitalist society, restricting people on both a large and minute scale is an approach by the controllers of the factors of production who do not appreciate the growth of the low and middle-income population (Green, 1995). Marx, who lived in a period of serfs, lords, and producers, observed that the seeds of a capitalist society were oppression and restricting the poor to their current predicament. The analysis of the society by Marx revealed the notion of medieval serfs who prospered and accumulated wealth through unscrupulous ways across the small towns. In both the start and later stages of the feudal system, it is evident that guilds were established whereby the guild masters would oversee the holistic process of production (Belkhir, 1995). The capitalist society led to the development of the contemporary division of labor despite the prospect that the division of class was evident during the feudal system.
Weber attempts to develop an in-depth analysis of religion, science, and history as facets of sociology. The focus on the contemporary occidental origins of sociology is evident that characterizes the dimensions of interaction. Rationalization is a facet of concern in the analysis of class. Deviating from the negative definitions of capitalism, Weber focused on developing classism as one of the positive implications of capitalism. Classism should not be synonymous with greed as opposed to capitalism (Belkhir, 2001). It is essential to appreciate that greed, which is an element of classism, has been in existent across all societies. The pursuit for profit defines the elements of a capitalist society. Nonetheless, the prospect of continued rational and capitalistic enterprise translates to the emergence of class as a differentiating factor. The rational structures of both law and social administration play a direct role in the evaluation of class as a defining factor in the development of a society (Hirschman, 1993). Igniting the aspects of schism and capitalistic mode of production are issues of concern that define the interactive process (Green, 1995). In a rational societal institution, supporting the spirit of capitalism should be at the expense of differentiating the different classes. Citing the Indian society, Weber concludes that the development of class is influenced by the pursuit of profit-making. Within a developing environment, it is essential to appreciate the underlying social forces at work that define classism.
Racism
The social structures are influential towards the development of a unique approach to review the defining elements of the race. An in-depth analysis of both Weber and Marx reveals a distinctive approach to analyzing the historical contexts of race as a determinant factor in examining economic growth and development. As a sociologist, Weber focused on understanding the interactive process of individuals and how race shapes contemporary issues. How people identify with one another has a direct impact on the perceptions developed. Therefore, in examining race, it was clear that Weber made an emphasis on exploring ethnicity, the type of society, and the elements of religion, economics, and politics that shape social perceptions (Hirschman, 1993). Weber seems to focus on the level of disparities between the groups that translate to a racial-based mentality. Social relations and the prospect of economic development have a hand at the increasing levels of racism among the people. As a clear example, Weber emphasized the notion of monopolization of power among the whites in America that led to the increasing levels of racism. Specifically, examining the whites in the southern state led to the observation of the cultural traits that serve as the starting point to developing racism. The belief of superiority and monopolization of economic power are defining factors towards springing up of racial identity (Green, 1995). The disparity between cultural traits and monopolization of power has an influential dimension towards the development of personal perspectives regarding the different races. Weber attempts to examine issues such as shared origin as a determinant element in the generation of the disparity between social life and national beliefs. Examining cultural traits reveals the different degrees of social life that can play a role in increasing the levels of racial discrimination. Local, national, and international levels exemplify the disparities among the races that can lead to stereotypes about individuals, which lead to the emergence of racism.
Marx focuses on the notion that there is a direct relationship between racism and capitalism. For economic development to prevail within a capitalist society, racism should be a source for profiteering among the lords and producers. The prospect of sparking social division among people and leading them are some of the strategies towards heightening the level of racism among the capitalist (Belkhir, 1995). Racism, from the perspectives of Marx, is essential to ensuring a wedge is evident between the workers who, from a rational perspective, can unite due to the common hurdles they face in the work environment (Green, 1995). Capitalists adopt racism to ensure that workers are not united and work for their beneficial outcomes. The essentiality of racism prevails among the landowners to ensure an avenue whereby productivity prevails and disunity ascertains the position of the low and high-income earners.
Feminism
Feminism denotes one of the earliest aspects that have been shaped by ideas of Max Weber. His perspectives regarding social theory develop a unified approach to examining liberal feminism. The gradual change of the roles of women, from a rational perspective, is bound to prevail. Weber asserts that the prospects of a patriarchal society are a challenge for women's empowerment. As a proponent for capitalism, Weber was quick to point out the difficulties that capitalism generates for feminist movements (Lamb, 1985). Masculinity is the core of economic development in the capitalist society, and developing a common ground for feminist ideas should equally encompass the need for eliminating both racism and classism. Likewise, Marx shared similar ideas regarding feminism. He focused on the notion that a capitalist society was an enemy of gender equality, racial unity, and the eradication of classism. As an opponent of a capitalist society, the sociological perspective of Marx was based on the need to re-examine societal beliefs to generate a way forward to dealing with the different elements of inequality.
Conclusion
Weber and Marx continue to influence sociological theories. As individuals who shaped the societal perceptions on various topics, it is clear that their perspectives were based on economic analysis of different nations. From the analysis of classism, the dimensions of the feudal economy, and cultural underpinnings of a society such as religion were considerably impactful on the divisions created within the society. On the other hand, racism emanates from the prospects of profiteering and cultural traits that influence the perspectives of the different social groups. Further, feminism is equally impacted by the patriarchal society that is controlled by the need to ensure profitability as opposed to an emphasis on equality.
References
Belkhir, J. (1995). Integrative Anti-Classism: Race, Gender and Class. Race, Gender & Class, 143-166.
Belkhir, J. A. (2001). Marxism Without Apologies: Integrating Race, Gender, Class; A Working Class Approach. Race, Gender & Class, 142-171.
Green, P. A. (1995). Evolutionary Insights Into Problems of Sexism, Classism & Racism, Including Prospects for their Elimination. Race, Gender & Class, 65-83.
Hirschman, E. C. (1993). Ideology in consumer research, 1980 and 1990: A Marxist and feminist critique. Journal of consumer research, 19(4), 537-555.
Lamb, M. L. (1985). Liberation theology and social justice. Process Studies, 14(2), 102-123.
