The Sociology of Karl Marx Part Two: Classical Social Theory Agenda Objective: 1. To understand the sociology of Karl Marx and its contributions to the field of sociology. Schedule: 1.Lecture, Discussion, and Video Clips developing the social theory of Karl Marx Homework 1. Country Boys Reflection Due: Thurs 9/20 2. Read “Marx Packet” & keep track of evidence of your work. 3. Critical Thinking Assignments: Due Wed 10/17 4. Marx, Weber, Durkheim Paper: Due Wed 10/24

What is Classical Theory? Wrapping Up From Last Class

What is Classical Social Theory?: Background Many of the seeds for what would later become sociology were first planted in the Enlightenment (late 1600s to late 1700s). During the Enlightenment, a number of long-standing ideas and beliefs were turned upside down. One of the new ideas introduced was the notion that science and reason could be used to understand both the physical and natural world.

What is Classical Social Theory?: Background The rise of science in turn gave birth to sociology in the mid 1800s. The central idea behind the new discipline of sociology was that society could be the subject of scientific examination just like biological organisms or the physical properties of material objects. –In fact, sociology was originally called social physics The goal of early sociologists was to uncover--rationally and scientifically--the laws of the social world.

What is Classical Social Theory?: Background While sociology as a discipline arises out of the Enlightenment it is the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution (late 1700s to early 1900s) that gave new impetus to the field. The new field of sociology sought to understand the causes and effects of the dramatic economic, social, and political developments occurring during the Industrial Revolution. The writings of these sociologists form the basis of classical theory.

What is Classical Social Theory? Classical social theory refers to the work of early sociologists who sought to understand the revolutionary change occurring in 19th century society. We will read works by three classical social theorists: –Karl Marx –Emile Durkheim –Max Weber Together they form the “trinity” of classical sociological thought. Weber Marx Durkheim

Why Study Classical Social Theory? Many students find it difficult to understand and interpret what classical theorists have to say. Many more wonder what the point is of studying the ideas of old, dead, white guys; how are their ideas relevant to our world today. There are two reasons why studying the works of classical social theorists are important: –The ideas articulated by classical theorists lay the foundation of sociology as a discipline. –The theories they put forth still guide contemporary theory and research. For example, we are still concerned with the nature of capitalism, the role of authority in social life, the dynamics of gender and racial oppression. The concepts and ideas introduced by classical theorists thus help us to better understand our world today.

Plan for Our Study of the Classical Theorists Discuss assignments and plan of study.

The Social Theory of Karl Marx

Karl Marx German Attended the University of Berlin and earned a doctorate in Philosophy. While in university he joined a radical leftist group called the Young Hegelians. After graduation he earned a reputation as a radical and was exiled to London. Spent most of his career living in poverty while writing his famous works.

Friederich Engels 1820 – 1895 German Self-educated in philosophy Worked in England for his father’s textile firm where he personally observed the working conditions of industrial English workers Financially supported Marx throughout his career

Marx and Engels

Marxism Together, Marx and Engels are the founder of Marxism –Set of political, economic, historical, and sociological ideas put forth by Karl Marx and Fredrich Engels. Key Texts: –Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844 (1844) –The German Ideology (1845) –The Communist Manifesto (1848) –Das Capital (1867)

Marxism: Historical Context Like all of the classical theorists we will study Marx and Engels are writing against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution. They are particularly appalled at the development of capitalism and the problems it created in an industrial society. –What is capitalism? –What problems did it create in an industrialized society? It is in their engagement with and thinking about this new capitalist and industrial world that drives the development of Marxist ideology.

View of Human Nature and History Marx’s view of human nature is the starting point of his theory. –It is from his understanding of human nature that all other assumptions derive. Marx says that what is unique about human nature is that humans possess species-being. What is species-being?

Species-Being What makes humans unique from animals is that humans create. Moreover, in the act of creating humans come to see their own nature. When we create, we come alive, we become most human. –We relish in the act of creation, we see ourselves –We achieve our Platonic Form “Material production is supposed to be the conduit through which human nature is expressed, and the product ought to act as a mirror that reflects back our own nature” - Allen (p. 43)

From Human Nature to Human History Because creating is what makes a human a human, if we want o understand how man has experienced life over time, we must understand his relationship to production over time. Marx is an Economic Determinist: The economy is the defining factor of human existence. –It is the substructure from which all other superstructures (politics, education, art, culture, religion, etc) is derived.

Marx’s Theory of History To understand man’s experience across time/history we have to understand man’s experience in the economy. –Marx Theory of History is Material Dialectic (or Dialectical Materialism)

Hegelian Dialectic Hegel saw history as a dialectic driven by ideas (idealism). For Hegel history was always moving forward toward some “end point” by the clashing of old ideas (thesis) with new ideas (antithesis) and eventually settling at a new equilibrium (the synthesis) until the whole process starts over again.

Hegelian Dialectic: Example Belief in the absolute rule of kings The belief in the ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity generated by the French Revolution The creation of constitutional monarchies

Marx’s Dialect: Material Dialectic Marx, however, disagrees with Hegel that history is driven by the clashing of ideas. Instead, Marx believes that what drives history?

Material Dialectic Changes in the means of production, not ideas, are what drive history The dynamics of history are to be found in the economic system. In particular, class conflict and class relations.

Class Conflict What are classes? – Economic groups defined in terms of their relationship to the means of production In any given society, there have always been two groups: Oppressing Class Those that own the means of production Oppressed Class Those that do not own the means of production But use the means of production for the benefit of the oppressing class.

Stages of History and Class Conflict at Each Stage

Marx’s Dialectic Says, “Yes Hegel, History is a dialectic process, but class conflict, not the conflict of ideas, drives history.” In any given society when those two opposing classes come into conflict it propels history forward into a new stage of history and new classes emerge. Ultimately these new classes will also come into conflict until history reaches its end point: the classless society Marx and Engels call communism. “Scientific” View of History

Communism: The End of History The final stage of history Temporarily ruled by a dictatorship of the proletariat. This gives way over time to rule by a loose association. In a communist society the state owns the means of production, but they do not dictate production. Production is done from each according to his abilities to each according to his needs.

Social Life is Characterized by Conflict According to the material dialectic, the engine of history is class conflict. Thus for Marx, the engine of social change is conflict. –Social change occurs episodically through social upheaval. For Marx, revolution is unavoidable.

Economic Determinism (Again) Marx thus believes in Economic Determinism: economics determines the course of all human history. Clashes between classes over changes in the means of production drive history forward. Everything else in society comes from economics.

ideology

Two Important Pieces of Information Implied From Marx’s Theory of Knowledge Knowledge is socially constructed Power (both economic, intellectual, and political) stems from the ownership of the means of production

Two Social Classes in the Industrial Age: Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat Marx argued that the emergence of capitalism had ushered in a new stage of history in which there were two new opposing social classes. – Bourgeoisie (Oppressing Class): Own the means of production Factory owners, bankers –Proletariat (Oppressed Class): Sell their labor and do not own the means of production Factory workers

View of Alienation Proletariat experience three types of alienation: 1. Alienation from Species-Being 2. Alienation from their Product 3. Alienation from Fellow Worker Watch clip from Food Inc. Where do you see the three types of alienation?

False Consciousness George Carlin Clip –(until 2:27) What is false consciousness? What does Marx argue is the role of religion in false consciousness?

Class Consciousness Marx argues that the communism revolution -- the end of history -- will only come through the attainment of class consciousness. The “awakening” that comes when we overcome our false consciousness and recognize our class position. Clip: The “Philosophy” of Fight Club

Class Conflict in the Modern Age (Or the Coming of the Communist Revolution) 1. Individual members of the proletariat become angry and may clash with individual members of the bourgeoisie or may destroy the means of production 2. Proletariat develop class consciousness and come together as a class to realize their shared interest in overthrowing capitalism 3. Proletariat overthrow the bourgeoisie in a violent and inevitable revolution leading the creation of a communist society.

Marx’s Contributions to Sociology View of the individual/human nature View of religion View of inequality/stratification View of knowledge/ideas View of alienation View of power Society as consensus or conflict View of the future (pessimist or optimist?) Method (Way of Doing Sociology) Aim of Sociology