A Brief Review of Major Theorists in the Field of Sociology

In order to obtain a fundamentally structural understanding of Sociology, one

must first acquire a brief look into a number of notable theorists in the field. This essay

will attempt to help the reader identify, examine, and relate the theories and perspectives

of Marx, Spencer, Durkheim, Weber, and Cooley. In addition, this essay will identify key

terms and concepts essential to the understanding of sociological perspectives and how

Arguably one of the most profound and influential theorists of the 19th century,

Karl Marx began his work as a humanist and therefore concentrated his efforts towards

the struggles of humanity. Through a macro-sociological viewpoint, a perspective that

allows an individual to examine society as a whole by means of observing broad social

patterns, Marx was able to identify a common thread within all societies. This common

thread became the foundation for his most popular theories. Marx observed

. . .
It is the opinion of some that

Durkheim managed to succeed where Spencer failed in applying the Functionalist

Perspective in a beneficial manner towards social change. Weber believed

that the spirit of capitalism was an indirect result of the rise of Calvinism within the

Protestant Religion and the regions they occupied. However perpetual the underlying

principle of Marx’s theory may seem, it was Marx’s belief that ultimately the struggle for

a more humanely economic world would end at what he believed to be the “highest

stage” of society, communism. He referred to this as a Value-Free Sociology. Organic Solidarity was then stapled

to more contemporary societies based on their large populations and intricate divisions of

labor. Spencer made the analogy that society resembled

greatly to a biological entity. For example, the flow of raw materials and goods from New World

settlements, slavery, and technical advances and innovations of that time period are just a

few of the arguments against his theory.

These are the theories that best express Weber as a Functional Thinker. The economic

base is defined by its class structure and means of producing wealth. Unfortunately,

most of Marx’s work was considered politically dangerous and was refuted by many of

his contemporaries.

One can find a good portion of Spencer’s theories applied towards arguments concerning

the economic freedoms of capitalism and the role that governments may have in

regulating those freedoms. According to a study provided by the Fraser

Institute in 1999, countries with consistently high levels of economic freedom perform far

better, both financially and non-financially, than those with low levels of economic

freedom. However, Durkheim concentrated on

utilizing the more positive aspects of Functionalism to explore social integrations of

societies and how these societies endure over time.

Durkheim pointed out that their engagement in common tasks, such as hunting for food

and cultivating, was the basis for their social bonds. A compelling

example of Spencer’s theory can be found in a comparison between regions that enjoy a

more “free economy” and those who do not.

Common topics in this essay:
Sociological Perspective, Fraser Institute, Glass Self, Protestants Weber, Super Structure, Karl Marx, Social Solidarity, Social Darwinism, Conflict Theorists, Furthermore Spencer, social patterns, conflict perspective, economic base, sociological perspective, organic solidarity, marxs theory, life expectancy, understanding social, spencers theories, conflict theorists, looking glass self, model ideal bureaucracy, amount government intervention, able identify common, levels economic freedom,

Approximate Word count = 2273
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

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