Introduction to Classical Social Theory

Classical Social Theory

We can all agree that time has its way of doing things and the classical social theory altogether has not been forgiven by time. The transition from traditional to modern societies⁷ carries the main idea of passing the time. This theory seeks to know our general understanding of the world we are currently living in and the transition taking place.Carl Marx was one of the leading founding figures in the field of classical social theories. He amongst other founders discussed the classical social theory. The other theorists are and not limited to Emile Weber and Max Weber.

Carl Marx is the father of classical social theory I choose to work with his thoughts and his contribution to this field. Marx’s combined input and carefully thought through ideas to bring together these arguments. Just like any other theory Marxist theory has its strengths and from the point of a critiques’ eye there possibly cannot miss flaws. That is so natural and therefore does his work as humanly as can be.Marx’s theory can be assumed not to have understood humanity well at its completeness and its wholesomeness. His observation could have been correct but with the passing of time new ideas come up, and problems are even solved in a different way using a different formula only to arrive at the same solution or even better solutions found⁹ hence scrapping off the previous data and procedures. Carl Marx thought that possibly the society would merge sometime to become uniform.  He imagined the poor would rise narrowing the massive gap between the social classes. He believed that people would live with equality and equity and that there would be no parallel lines to divide them according to their social categories.

This vision by Carl goes contrary to human nature. There are mindsets and how things work according to how they are designed to.  Communism stopped at some point in history and therefore the less fortunate could not possibly rise to come at par with the fortunate. Property was not shared and owned communally, therefore, those with a larger share would always have their more significant share of the cake that they could have and eat at the same time and those with a smaller share had to work so much maybe even twice as much and still not manage to maintain their part meager of the share.

This argument of the social classes could bring up the communism debate once more. The benefits that come with communism are far¹⁰ much less than the disadvantages; with communism, there could come dictatorship and this is by far the worst kind of leadership ever practiced. Dictators are usually leaders that have all the power vested upon them and are believed to be able to control a state, but that is generally directional for doom.Marx’s other weakness was in Christianity where he did bring it out as a weakness in his arguments. He portrayed Christianity as a social institution⁸ that almost entirely depended on the social circles. These circles many at times are not viewed positively. These are for instance economic and material benefits. In such a case the religious doctrines seem baseless since they look to intertwined to the makeup of the society. From this point of view, Christianity became negative since it was believed to be⁵ a place where the weak ran to avoid and escape trouble through divine intervention. Christianity was assumed to be for the weak and faint at heart.

Description of Carl Marx’s Theory

The other weakness that comes with this theory is that it does not value or encourage private ownership of property. This in every way could risk the coming back to the practice of communism. We can very much agree in unison that an individual working for individual gain can perform better. On the other hand, an individual working¹ for communal benefit would sure care less about the outcome because of the demotivation? Collective ownership of property was not such a brilliant idea if people want to grow and move forward.

This theory also discourages entrepreneurship. By killing entrepreneurship, there cannot possibly be growth. The will of entrepreneurs would be smashed and their abilities limited. Entrepreneurship has become the heart of income in many societies. As said creativity; the art pays well. Marxism also has been observed to suppress the full capacity of education and limiting its possible outcome. In this theory, education is emphasized in the direction of the government’s interests. This would mean that so much would⁸ be ignored and left out just to fill up what the state thinks it needs not what is really required of a proper education system.

On the other hand, we cannot possibly overlook the bright side. Marxist theory cannot be ruled out entirely because even with the negative side there is a positive side too. Here extensively and keenly the positive contribution of this theory will be discussed. Looking at communism on a decisive point, we realize that Carl Marx was not altogether wrong. Working together would ensure that every individual is catered for. The surplus bills will easily be taken care of by the government. In this way still², no one will be over the other since there will be the existence of equality at every level.

For as much as this theory discussed by Carl Marx is termed backward. Any person who would vote for equality will say that this is an easy and free pass to achieving balance and every gender issues scrapped off at once.  Its roles are shared equally not basing anything on class or gender or anything whatsoever. Giving a closer look, we can say that Carl Marx’s argument on communism is in good faith. With it, everyone is out in one basket and treated same. Then the people are viewed⁵ as a whole not on lines as of gender, class, color and any other variable. Everyone equally gets the upper hand from being treated by a whole society. Carl Marx thought that possibly the society would merge sometime to become uniform.  He imagined the poor would rise narrowing the massive gap between the social classes. He believed that people would live with equality and equity and that there would be no parallel lines to divide them according to their social categories. This theory by the great Carl Marx is a sure push to humanity. Carl encouraged human rights activists to come up and stand for the rights of the people. This way a community that practiced communism was safer and better placed regarding security since everyone thought of the other.

The other great achievement of Marxism is working together towards achieving a common goal. This way the aim was quickly reached, and everyone benefitted. Such a community did not much experience a lack of resources³. There was no point entirely of going out there to seek for help when the locals can lift each other up. The communist government also stepped up and took responsibility for its people in case of a shortage.

Carl Marx has remained conversant though out the several decades even in his death he has stayed on top of the bar. Marx possibly observed the future and thought how it would have been, and for sure some of it came to be, and some of his ideas live up to date. Carl Marx is a great mind in this field. We can’t possibly tread over the other theorist’s contributions¹. They are as much important as Carl Marx’s contributions. We can say that many public health workers have been able to benefit from Carl Marx’s contributions to the field.

References:

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