Theoretical Approaches in Sociology (Essay Sample)

UNICAF UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ZAHRA MOHAMEDCompare and contrast Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber’s theoretical approaches in sociology particularly focusing on the economy. June 2020
Patel at el (2017 p. 1) acknowledges that Max Weber, Emile Durkheim made much enrichment to the study of sociology more specifically to classic sociology theory. Their participation from the period of the nineteen and twentieth-century focused on the human aspects and growth of the society. The social theory was largely contributed by these three scholars. Their findings cut across political aspects, economic issues, and societal aspects. Patel at el (2017 p.2) further argues that the theories set by Weber, Marx, and Durkheim are sufficient for learning and applying the same in practical life.
According to Zerihun (2005 p. 27) recognizes Karl Marx as a scholar who demonstrated that the economic forces are so fundamental in appreciating how the society is, and how changes may be initiated to improve the economic status through individual efforts. On the other hand, Emile Durkheim was a scholar whose theory centered on the key principles, concepts, methods, and much focus on sociology where the behavior of individuals can be evaluated deeply. Max Weber described sociology as a study that looks at human action in society. Such actions get to influence other people but never agreed that forces affecting the economy are the ones that are so fundamental in the initiation of changes in society. Weber is of the view that human being should be studied based on their behavior and the connections of their decisions (Zerihun 2005 p. 30)
All the theories set by Marx, Weber, and Durkheim gives us a glimpse on how to critically evaluate the sociological aspects in a broader perspective.
This Literature review is aimed at analyzing the work done by these scholars. It makes a digest to the social organs and the people’s culture. It relates to how their ideologies relate and differ and the success of each of the findings that have been done by these scholars and further review of their work in the context of the modern aspects. The purpose of contrasting and comparing these writings will necessitate an in-depth discussion of social and economic connections.
According to Patel at el (2017 p. 3) Karl Marx's study analyzed the progress of society through change. In furtherance of their argument, Marx emphasized on the class conflict, division of labor and the process of production that will be attained at the end that would result in the society to be looked at a structured manner that can relate with other aspects in the society like economic and political that affect the human life. According to Marx, there should be a distinct and changeable process in economic production and the historical experience in the society (Patel at el 2017 p.3).
Dawson (2014 p.3) illustrates that there has been continuous debate about Weber’s and Durkheim's scholarly work relating to the state, social action religion, and methodology that they employed. Other scholars have disputed their theories while some have supported their findings. It is prudent that their works are subjected to various narratives arrived by the scholars as shall be discussed herein.
Weber looked at the planned economy for the communal subsistence hence the socialism has been felt globally and it is related to the current economy and industrialization where much attention is diverted to the workers being separated and bureaucracies that do exist in running society that leads to the current socialism (Dawson 2014 p. 5).