The world in
which people live today is one that evolves, and
this has always been the case. However, years
ago, most people did not seem to think that this
was an important occurrence. This especially refers
to periods prior to modernization and perhaps
before human developmental periods such as the
Renaissance.
People increasingly did become aware of the changes
that took place in their day-to-day lives, but
on the whole, transitions from one stage to another
were not consensually questioned as they are today.
This refers to the stages that the human race
has experienced since mechanization that have
been questioned and analyzed. Indeed, this is
the nature of skepticism that has indeed a major
potion of Sociology.
Sociology as a social science is a subject in
which human experiences have been greatly exposed,
and this has only taken place as an organized
approach due to people realizing the need to explain
the way that the social world and relevant links
are evolving. As a result of people feeling the
need to search for explanations, works of particular
individuals have been examined in the hopes of
uncovering work that would help analyze and explain
the way that things are.
Indeed, it must be asserted that the works of
individuals such as Weber, Durkheim and Marx have
been few that have largely contributed to the
making of Sociology as a subject. It must be asserted
that these individuals did not deliberately construct
theories for the sake of Sociology, as they each
independently constructed their unique concepts
that man has learned of today.
Marxism in particular was not accepted as an important
part of Sociology when it was first being formulated.
This may be because of the fact that Marxism was
basically a Political Philosophy. However, Marx’s
work also explained social change through his
conflict theory of ‘Class Conflict’.
Until the late 1960s, this theory or this approach
was not given much attention, but gradual research
into this Political Philosophy exposed what Marxism
really had to offer.
Indeed, it could be seen that Mar’s political
philosophy was not one that stirred revolution
without reason; it had apparently exposed the
essence of human conflict based on inequalities.
Hence, the theory made a great deal of sense and
was worth applying to all societies, as well as
comparing it with other social theories that were
not that capable of explaining social change (Collins,
1994, 38-40).
Under standing social change has indeed been
at the center of Sociology, and since Marx’s
conflict theory is not the only theory being studied,
it is worth asserting that work from Weber provides
alternative explanations. To many sociologists,
it must be asserted that Weber provides what is
missing in Marxism. Hence, they fuse the two together
in order to provide more explanations. To an extent,
it must be asserted that Weber has indeed provided
in an independent approach based on the concept
of power.
One’s social position defines how power
can be maintained, and it can be passed on from
generation to generation. This is where Weber’s
theory fits into Marx’s theory. However,
Marxism is considered to be pivotal in Sociological
thought because of the fact that it is rich in
history. This is to say that it has developed
out of Marx’s knowledge of history after
studying philosophies such as Hegel’s. This
means that what Marx is not something without
historical backing. It must be particularly noted
that it is through this historical notion that
Marx had managed to develop his theory of Epochs.
Marx holds that each Epoch has passed on to a
newer one but there will also be a final epoch
that man will reach and not move beyond that.
This is because by this time, man will have realized
that this is the most suitable one for all. The
reason why he asserts that this final epoch is
the most suitable one is because of the experience
mankind has had from earlier epochs. This was
because Marx followed Hegel’s notions of
evolution through history, and the building of
consciousness through time (Collins, 1994, 39).
In addition to Marxism explaining so much through
historical events by following Hegel’s work,
his fellow writer of the Communist Manifesto also
played an important role in explaining the historical
status of women. Dating back to the mid 1800s,
this work is one of the earliest on Feminism is
interesting; it provides a foundation for understanding
the way that women are still treated in contemporary
times.
Hence, it can be said that both Marx and Engels
have made their theories rich through historical
backing, which is why it is considered authentic
and pivotal for further research in contemporary
times. However, one realizes that there has been
a severe loss of time in realizing the importance
particular theories in sociology as well Sociology
as a discipline.
Having a historical base to work from is what
Sociology basically required. Without Marxism
is a major portion of its essence, Sociology would
struggle to make its points known and have a place
as a subject. However, with works from Weber and
several others who continue to build on these
works, there apparently is immense scope for enhancement
of Sociology as a subject (Collins, 1994, 47-50).
In summary it may be asserted that the rise
in Sociology took long because of the following
social and academic reasons.
Social reasons assert that:
It took time for people to
realize what was happening with them socially
and economically speaking
It took time for the world to get over major issues
at hand, such as war and economic depressions
People might not have been ready to accept theories
such as Marxism as sociological ones.
Academic reasons assert that:
Formally, Functionalism was traditionally accepted.
A conflict and non-religious theory that opposed
Capitalism might not have been easily digested
by academic and state authorities.
It took time to realize that what could cause
chaos in society would actually have explanations
to social change
Traditionally, explanations to social change from
an Athiest theorist might not have been welcomed
(Collins, 1994, 40-41)
Keeping in mind the manner in which particular
theories impacted the discipline of Sociology,
it must be finally asserted that Sociology rose
late because of Traditional interference as well
as historical occurrences such as war that disrupt
all human living.
Works Cited :
Collins, Randall. Four Sociology Traditions Oxford
University Press; Rev&Expndd edition (March
1, 1994)
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