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1. Running Head: THE RISE OF MODERN SOCIETY 1
The Rise of Modern Society
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2. THE RISE OF MODERN SOCIETY 2
Today the society is growing more complex with every day that passes. Sociology has a
more in depth meaning today but still hinges onto theories decades old. Max Weber and Karl
Marx are among the founding fathers of sociology. They both were economists, raised from a
European protestant upbringing, but that was the farthest their similarities went. Their theories
shaped the modern sociology, as we know it today, each with a different perspective. Socialism
and capitalism philosophies are the main source of debate.
According to Karl, capitalist society would not stand the test of time, and communism
will replace it. Change to Karl would only come through violent revolutions by the people
(Macionis, 2008). To him, the society has classes from the poor all the way the richest. In
everystratum, the people come together in unity to improve their lives within the strata. Karl
believed that capitalism widened the gap between the classes. Those that accumulate wealth do
so by employing the poor in the society and pay them wages. Division of labor improves
productivity at the expense of the workers who are alienated from the complete production
process. This leads to limited abilities in creativity on the part of the workers while to the
owners of the production means a benefit from the massive profits and the excesses that come
with it.
Weber, on the other hand, to most analysts debates in favor of capitalism. He rejected
materialism ideas that Karl proposed in his work (Macionis, 2008). He felt that if a man
developed the capacity to dominate other men, he should get rewards for it. It was abiding to
God’s will by working hard to secure ones future. Karl Marx felt that human beings consciously
took it upon themselves to amass wealth at the expense of others. Weber responds by saying that
every person has the desire to accumulate other than just spend believing in a predestined fate.
While Karl felt that, the government was to come from the people and be no more powerful than

3. THE RISE OF MODERN SOCIETY 3
the people wanted it to be, Weber thought of government as a different social class from that of
the people.

4. THE RISE OF MODERN SOCIETY 4
References
Macionis, J (2008). Sociology, (12th Edition). New Jersey:Prentice Hall