1. The great debate Marx and Weber
Social Change
The great debate Marx and Weber

2. There is a rift between two of the biggest sociologists on what causes social change As a sociologist you need to understand BOTH of their theories

3. Karl Marx Has 10 stages of REVOLUTIONARY social change
The Communist Manifesto
Wrote with Fredrick Engels
Economy is the basis for
all social chance

4. Stage #8- Advanced Capitalism
Two social classes are in conflict
Bourgeoisie Proletariat

5. Proletariat are alienated
They are exploited by the bourgeoisie and in false consciousness
False consciousness- when the bourgeoisie are being used, yet they do not know they’re being exploited
Marx focuses on the role of religion in this process

6. The end of Advanced Capitalism
A couple bourgeoisie abandon their class and attempt to help the proletariat move from false consciousness to true consciousness
How? They teach the proletariat about how they’re exploited
The proletariat rise up and start a workers REVOLUTION

7. Stage #9- Socialism This stage is the ‘working it out’ stage Why?
Not intended for everyone to be equal
More equal than advanced capitalism

8. Characteristics of Socialism According to Marx (and Engles)
Abolish private ownership of money and land
Abolish inheritance rights
Free public schools for all kids
Heavy progressive income tax on all citizens
Heal the urban-rural split
Centralization of banking/monetary issues by federal government
Government owns all the means of production
Confiscation of emigrants’ property
Each person would work according to his/her capability
Centralization of communication and transportation issues by the federal government

9. Stage #10- Communism
How do we move from socialism to communism? Socialism withers away- and communism begins
Each person is equal in power, income, etc.
There are no
Social classes
Power differences between people

10. Religion in socialism and Communism
Marx feels that religion does not NEED to be in socialism or communism
IF there is religion then it is only acceptable if the religion promoted equality for all
This means no difference in power based in religion

11. Max Weber
Change in society can be
any social institution

12. The Protestant Ethic & The Spirit of Capitalism
Weber’s work that disproved Marx’s theory that an economic system could be the only base of society
Completed about 50 years after Marx’s death

13. The Protestant Ethic Based on the 5 beliefs of Calvanism
There is one-all powerful God, who
Predestines each person to either heaven or hell
While on earth, each person should glorify God
Each individual is supposed to work in their calling
Everyone should practice asceticism

14. Official beliefs vs. unofficial beliefs

15. The Spirit of Capitalism
The pursuit of profit is ethical
Pursuit of maximum profit is ethical
Practice double entry bookkeeping

16. What happens when the protestant ethic meets the spirit of capitalism?

17. How did Weber Prove Marx Wrong?

18. Marx Weber Full Blown PE & Capitalism Weber

19. Questions?