Marx s Theory Of Power And Inequality - 1470 Words

Marx’s and Weber’s approach the study of power and inequality through class and economics. They agree that the wealthy does have some power advantage over the poor. But they differ in the power distribution. Marx only sees the bourgeoisie as the ultimate power house; while Weber believes that power is distributed among class, status, and party. Their opinion on social mobility is also different. Marx sees class as automatic and Weber sees it as a developing and changing idea. This is why Weber’s approach to the study of power and inequality resonates most with contemporary U.S. society. Marx believes that society is a system created by the powerful for the powerful through material goods. In â€Å"The German Ideology,† Marx and Engles write â€Å"the ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas, i.e. the class which is the ruling material force of society is at the same time its intellectual force† (Marx and Engles 1845:144). The mode of production determines who has power and who does not. Those in charge of the material goods have the power to make the rules of society as well. Those who do not own any material goods but use their labor instead have to follow through with the rules of those in power. According to Marx, the bourgeoisie and proletariat are the only classes in society; they either own the means of production or they work. The bourgeoisie will continue to own the means of production since the proletariat are tied down to their job. This is why MarxShow MoreRelatedJohn Locke s Theory Of Theory And Social Discourse1253 Words   |  6 PagesDiscourse on Inequality, a piece that explored the proprietary origin and distribution of equality while subtly critiquing John Locke’s theories. By the time Karl Marx began to explore bourgeois society and its shortcomings, Rousseau was an established Locke critique who Marx’s On the Jewish Question and Communist Manifesto could contend with. The largest point of contention between the three would be the concept of property and the source of inequality. By exploring the major theories of each politicalRead MoreIncome Inequality : The Perspectives Of Marx And Weber Essay1505 Words   |  7 PagesIncome Inequality in A merican Society: The Perspectives of Marx and Weber In the United States, income inequality is drawing more and more attention from the media, sociologists, politicians, and everyday citizens like us since the economic difference during the past decades became more pronounced than before. Karl Marx and Max Weber both discussed their ideas of social inequality and addressed the relationship between inequality and social structure as an important theme in their work. This paperRead MoreKarl Marx And Functionalist Theory1329 Words   |  6 PagesKarl Marx and functionalist theory There is something to agree with in each one of the three sociological perspectives. 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It pays more attention to things like race, gender and social class because they are seen as grounds for the worst struggles