Conflict and Social Change

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Table of Contents

Similarities
Differences
Conclusion
References

Social change and conflict are essential components of societal progress, which fuels the major shifts in the paradigm of power balance between elites and working classes. It is important to understand that there are different views on the given concepts. Although Weber’s theory is manifested in the fact that societal changes occur due to tight interaction processes between capitalism and religious dogma, people tend to choose rationality over traditions. However, Marx’s views are more inclined towards that such changes are the result of class conflict, and the process involves revolutions. Durkheim perceives social change as an evolution of a society, where the process is natural and gradual.

Similarities

Each of the mentioned sociologists applies different theoretical frameworks to the ideas of social change and conflict, but they stem from a common ground of the fact that all shifts in paradigm occurring with a society lead to power redistribution. In addition, their views are more inclined to perceive such social remodeling as a positive thing, because it prevents stagnation and power concentration among classes. It is stated that religion plays a vital role in establishing stability and stratification in the social class hierarchy (Schwadel, 2016). The theoretical approaches of Durkheim and Weber are especially similar in the regard that societies tend to slowly shift from religious influence towards more rationalism, which inevitably becomes part of the social evolution. However, Marx’s views are more based on the notion of conflict, where class struggle and revolutions are the main sources of social change (Kendall, 2018). Therefore, it is critical to fully comprehend these similarities in order to fully understand the major differences between these sociologists.

Differences

The primary differences of views between Weber, Durkheim, and Marx are based on the sources and approaches regarding social change and conflict. On the one hand, Weber argues that capitalism and the work ethics derived a religion, such as Protestantism, which are key components of social change (Schwadel, 2016). The theory revolves around the notion that such societal shifts are the result of the capital change, where people’s power comes from the amount and quality of capital they possess. Although the given view mainly addresses Western societies, it is highly applicable to all modern capitalistic nations with an exception of the local religions. Weber also admits that although religions role is major, people gradually choose rationality over dogmas.

Similarly, Durkheim was a proponent of social evolutionism, where social changes occur internally and naturally as an inherent part of any society (Turner & Abrutyn, 2017). This means that such shifts are inevitable, and it does not require outside influence because long-lasting and sustainable improvement are the results of evolution. Both of the mentioned sociologists do not emphasize the conflict as being a primary fuel of social changes. However, Marx’s views are mostly based on aggressive changes, where a positive outcome directly influenced by conflict. He argues that social changes are rooted in the class struggle, which includes critical components, such as economic relationships between classes (Kendall, 2018). His solution lies within the notion that only societal revolutions result in positive changes, whereas the lack of the given process results in stagnation and oppression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is important to note that Marx, Weber, and Durkheim perceive social changes as a source of societal development and progress. However, their views differ regarding the factors that fuel these processes. On the one hand, both Weber and Durkheim argue that the concept of social change occurs naturally, but the former emphasizes religion, and the latter implements the ideas of evolutionism. Marx primarily focuses on class conflict, and the main sources of positive change can only occur due to revolutions.

References

Kendall, D. (2018). Sociology in our times: The essentials. Cengage.

Schwadel, P. (2016). Social class. In D. Yamane (Eds.), Handbook of Religion and Society (pp. 345-371). Springer.

Turner, J. H., & Abrutyn, S. (2017). Returning the “social” to evolutionary sociology: Reconsidering Spencer, Durkheim, and Marx’s models of “natural” selection. Sociological Perspectives, 60(3), 529-556.

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Conflict and Social Change

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