Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim are two of the founding figures of sociology. They were the first to explore the relationship between the economy and society in the nineteenth and twentieth century, each developing different perspectives of society. Despite them having significantly different views on modern capitalism, they both played a prominent role in the development of sociology as an academic discipline. This essay provides a biography of Marx and Durkheim and the major works they published. It then focuses on the intellectual and historical contributions they have made and how their works are still influential to contemporary society. The ideas of both sociologists are compared, discussing the similarities and differences of their main
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In 1836, Marx studied at the University of Berlin where he came across the work of Georg Hegel whose writings influenced Marx throughout his lifetime. Unable to find work shortly after having gained his doctorate in 1841, he began to start his career as a journalist. In 1844, he wrote one of his most famous works called The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts. In 1848, labelled the ‘Year of Revolutions’ in Europe, working-class people stood up against the ruling monarchies in countries such as Germany, Italy and France. Marx, who had predicted the Germany revolution, published ‘The Communist Manifesto’ in the same year (Dillion 2014). Soon after, Marx was Banished from Germany due to his revolutionary views and immigrated to England in 1849. His last published piece was in 1867, titled ‘Capital’. He died eighteen years later in …show more content…
Marx’s views becoming a dynamic political movement in the form of Marxism while Durkheim’s works contributed to the creation of functionalism, this exemplifies how both had a major role in the formation of sociology. The contrasting views of Marx and Durkheim on the division of labour will be explored
In 1836, Marx studied at the University of Berlin where he came across the work of Georg Hegel whose writings influenced Marx throughout his lifetime. Unable to find work shortly after having gained his doctorate in 1841, he began to start his career as a journalist. In 1844, he wrote one of his most famous works called The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts. In 1848, labelled the ‘Year of Revolutions’ in Europe, working-class people stood up against the ruling monarchies in countries such as Germany, Italy and France. Marx, who had predicted the Germany revolution, published ‘The Communist Manifesto’ in the same year (Dillion 2014). Soon after, Marx was Banished from Germany due to his revolutionary views and immigrated to England in 1849. His last published piece was in 1867, titled ‘Capital’. He died eighteen years later in …show more content…
Marx’s views becoming a dynamic political movement in the form of Marxism while Durkheim’s works contributed to the creation of functionalism, this exemplifies how both had a major role in the formation of sociology. The contrasting views of Marx and Durkheim on the division of labour will be explored