Durkheim sees anomie as responsible for the world’s disorder of economics- the lack of morality and regulation resulted in overpowering the weak; thus, he feels that only norms can prevent the abuse of power and calls for regulation and equal opportunity from birth- the greater the equal opportunity the less need for restraint. Marx looked at how capitalism separated humanity by making work a simple means of individual existence. In addition he describes society in terms of class and economic conflicts. Marx saw proletariat or people of a working class as being underneath the bourgeoisie or the capitalist of a modern society. Marx looked at how alienation of production of commodities by workers also leads to alienation of social life.
Ultimately, because Gandhi’s beliefs and tactics in incorporating those beliefs were based on religion and peaceful, non-violent protests, and Marx believed that violence and action would successfully end social classes in Europe, there is a very distinct difference between both men’s methods, yet they shared the same common goal: to do away with inequality. If Gandhi had to respond to Marx on his methods in transforming class based societies to classless societies, I do not think that he would agree on every one of Marx’s techniques. There are many different aspects of why. They were two totally different types of activists trying to achieve the same ultimate goal. Gandhi was a man that would “strain every nerve to make Truth and Non-violence accepted in all our national activities” (i.e.
Marx and Engels used the term "scientific socialism" to describe the type of socialism they saw themselves developing. According to Engels, socialism was not "an accidental discovery of this or that ingenious brain, but the necessary outcome of the struggle between two historically developed classes – the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. Its task was no longer to manufacture a system of society as perfect as possible, but to examine the historical-economic succession of events from which these classes and their antagonism had of necessity sprung, and to discover in the economic conditions thus created the means of ending the conflict." Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels referred to all socialist ideas that were simply a vision and distant goal for society as utopian. Utopian socialists were likened to scientists who drew up elaborate designs and concepts for creating what socialists considered a more equal society.
He believes that this will ease the process of transformation, and end the constant oppression that is present. Lenin quotes Marx that following the revolution; there is “political transition period in which the state can be nothing but the revolutionary dictatorship of the proletariat.” Lenin agrees with Marx and believes that the state in its current form is highly oppressive that that no matter what has been said or has been put on paper, men are inevitably unequal and that “democracy is always hemmed in by the narrow limits set by capitalist exploitation.” Lenin is angered by the fact the higher class (the bourgeoisie) have the utmost control and the working class (the proletariat) must follow their reign. This is when Lenin’s main argument is revealed: The proletariat must suppress the bourgeoisie immediately in order to “free humanity from wage slavery.” Lenin wants the “complete withering away of the state.” He believes that this will happen with the proletariat through the “dictatorship of the proletariat.” The majority of the society will
If we could say that there is a piece of literature that gave birth to the idea of socialism, it is the Communist Manifesto written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. It is a very difficult book because of the language and the addition of concepts which happens continuously. Once I created the structure of concepts in my head, it was very moving, very emotional. It was not very long and that is why I could keep all the ideas in my head and get to the end. The main idea that the author is trying to make from the beginning is that human history is a story of economic relationships and this is what gives one man his position in the society, if the economic identity of people are removed, paradise can be created.
Marx’s concept of alienation is the separation and misalignment power from one thing to another, and is informed by both his understanding of human labor and religion. In capitalism man is alienated from his labor because he is forced to trade it like a commodity in the marketplace. As a result, the more of himself he puts into labor, the less he keeps for himself. He also believes region, like capitalism, is a source of alienation. Like capitalism, he believes region is a man-made creation, which eventually became regarded as a natural phenomenon.
Furthermore, the essay will donate to link the aforesaid historical phenomenon’s (protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism) to the advantages and of bureaucracy; it will also critically discuss the conflict theory (Karl Marx) and the functional theory (Weber) then critically discuss Weber and Marx views on class social stratification and status, it also going to discuss four values of social action and lastly answer the question why I support his ideas. Weber, by rationalisation, meant the process by which explicit, abstract, intellectually calculable rules and procedures are increasingly substituted for sentiment, tradition and rules of thumb in all spheres of activities (Wrong, 1970:26).What weber basically mean by this definition is that the social actions for people are becoming more and more based on fulfilling self-luxury rather than motivations drives like tradition, morality etc. For example, if you could ask a very determined and successful business man, why he works so hard to keep his business functioning and alive, he will answer that he is working for his children and grandchildren to have good life (Geddens, 1971:), whereas bureaucracy is the specialized adherence to fixed rules and hierarchical fixed authority (Website 1).This definition basically mean that bureaucracy is a type of domination that is organized hierarchically with strict chains of command from top to bottom(Website 1). Looking at the vesting that constitute this essay, it is definitely clear that the essay will
Programme: | Sociology of work | Question: | Explain the terms “alienation, bureaucracy and de-skilling” in sociology of work? To what extent are these concepts relevant in explaining how work is structured in contemporary societies? | Marx’s alienation is regarded as a feeling of separation from the work that people do, that is, the act of production, from other workers, from what they are producing and even from their own essential humanity. In Weber’s definition bureaucracy is an organisation with a hierarchy of paid, full-time officials who form a chain of command (Haralambos and Holborn, 2008). Braverman presents an argument against what he regards as the degradation of work and the de-skilling of the labour force which is a result of the inhuman aspects of capitalism (Kanungo, 1982).
In contrast Weber’s views suggest that religion has acted as a powerful force of social change. He draws his views from Calvinism, which he claims was the beginning of modern capitalism in northern Europe. Calvinism is the belief in making a profit for the sake of it, instead of making a profit in order to buy luxuries. Calvinists beliefs
They are being alienated because this system(capitalism) is not fair. This theory is all about class struggle and Capitalism is a great example of how there is class struggle In society today. A good example of this in our society today is Medicalization. When we apply conflict theory to Medicalization we can determine that it is all about power and profit. The capitalists or pharmaceutical companies are in it to make a profit.