It is no wonder that class and inequality has held a remarkable interest for sociologists since the discipline of sociology has come into existence. Indeed the notion of inequality has persisted throughout history of mankind societies, stretching back to the middle-ages when feudal lords held reign over vassals and slaves. The very perseverance of inequality in modern societies is an interesting issue, as it becomes apparent that some individuals’ preoccupation with money, status and power may reflect an urge for humans to seek fulfilment from external forces, rather than finding that source from within. The following paper will attempt to convey classic sociological perspectives, with reference to current perspectives which have aided understanding
…show more content…
Classic theorist Karl Marx believed that the distribution of wealth explained social change (Kriekan et al., 2014, p. 204) and argued that societies could be defined by its mode of production, he coined these different groups’ classes. Marx’s theory of class reflected his structuralist views in his argument that “free will is constrained by economic arrangements” (Kriekan et al., 2014, p. 210), and believed the working class would eventually overthrow capitalism in a revolutionary social movement. Max Weber’s theory encompassed a multidimensional approach to inequality, which perhaps became a springboard for more current thinking on the subject of inequality in our world today. Weber believed economic factors were one of three sources of power influencing social division, the other being social status and one’s political monopoly (Kriekan et al., 2014). Emile Durkeim was interested in how members of society are socialised into accepting the norms accompanying society, and argued that it was the establishment of moral values that held societies together (Kreikan et al., 2014). Durkeim’s theory of social change argued that “social development occurred as a result of increasing specialisation and differentiation” (Kreikan et al., 2014), he believed that the existence of inequality was a necessary function of society (p.
Classic theorist Karl Marx believed that the distribution of wealth explained social change (Kriekan et al., 2014, p. 204) and argued that societies could be defined by its mode of production, he coined these different groups’ classes. Marx’s theory of class reflected his structuralist views in his argument that “free will is constrained by economic arrangements” (Kriekan et al., 2014, p. 210), and believed the working class would eventually overthrow capitalism in a revolutionary social movement. Max Weber’s theory encompassed a multidimensional approach to inequality, which perhaps became a springboard for more current thinking on the subject of inequality in our world today. Weber believed economic factors were one of three sources of power influencing social division, the other being social status and one’s political monopoly (Kriekan et al., 2014). Emile Durkeim was interested in how members of society are socialised into accepting the norms accompanying society, and argued that it was the establishment of moral values that held societies together (Kreikan et al., 2014). Durkeim’s theory of social change argued that “social development occurred as a result of increasing specialisation and differentiation” (Kreikan et al., 2014), he believed that the existence of inequality was a necessary function of society (p.