Karl Marx is one of the most famous “founding fathers” of sociology in his theories and critiques of social issues. The thing is, he was actually an economist. It’s funny to see that it took an economist’s views to revolutionize the ways in which we view our social lives and the problems that we face every day. His theories and beliefs, known as “Marxism”, have paved a way for sociologists to observe, think and manifest their own explanations to the different wave of problems that constantly come ashore.
When we look at the basic idea of Marxism, it is actually a very intellectual and insightful theory. In order to truly understand the foundation of Marxism, we must first look at the three principles that make up the Marxist Methodology. First, Marx believed in focusing on the real-life contradictions that every day individuals experience. He used, historical materials to interpret and analyze for future knowledge and understanding. Rather than ideas, he believed that everyday lived experiences are what push us forward and ideas follow from these. “…Marx did not believe that these contradictions could be worked out in our understanding, that is, in our minds. Instead, for Marx these are real existing contradictions (Wilde, 1991: 277)” (Ritzer 42). Secondly, Marx believed that social phenomenon can only be explained by an individual’s actions which can result into a specific event. So he believed that by understanding one individual, we can the impact of all. “…one factor may have an effect on another, but it is just as likely that the latter will have a simultaneous effect on the former” (44). Finally, he believed in dialectical reasoning. This is where we start with an idea or a contradictory person, and ideas/positions are built upon it resulting in 3 different positions. For example, the idea of feudalism turned into capitalism which in turn turned in to socialism/communism.
Looking at the principles that make up the Marxist Methodology, I believe and completely agree with what he is trying to express in his way of thinking. The idea that one individual affects all is, in my opinion, probably a big reason why our society is so messed up today. The saying, “it only takes one” comes to my mind when I read about these principles. I think that individual actions carry a lot of power that we do not realize, especially in the “civilized” society we live in today. We as Americans are provided an immense amount of opportunity and power that foreigners could only dream of; hence “the American Dream”. We live in a country where individuals have the right and ability to make something happen and have it affect our entire population. For example, in theory, as President of the United States, Barack Obama has the most control and power over the fate of the Americans. Yet all we do is criticize and mock his work. His decisions and actions set a destination for us as a country. One individual, one action, millions of people impacted. Another example would be the influential power that celebrities have. When we see stars like Lady Gaga or Kim Kardashian sporting the new trendy fashion fads, people go crazy to dress exactly like them or do exactly as they do. One individual, one action, millions of people impacted. It’s sad to see what our society has become…a bunch of wannabe groupies. Why is it that Americans are so easily influenced by their favorite celebrities to go buy whatever they sell? When will we as intellectual, socialized, civilized people follow the powerful actions of real individuals who fought for and made a difference like Martin Luther King, Jane Addams, Gandhi, or even Karl Marx himself?
When we look at the basic idea of Marxism, it is actually a very intellectual and insightful theory. In order to truly understand the foundation of Marxism, we must first look at the three principles that make up the Marxist Methodology. First, Marx believed in focusing on the real-life contradictions that every day individuals experience. He used, historical materials to interpret and analyze for future knowledge and understanding. Rather than ideas, he believed that everyday lived experiences are what push us forward and ideas follow from these. “…Marx did not believe that these contradictions could be worked out in our understanding, that is, in our minds. Instead, for Marx these are real existing contradictions (Wilde, 1991: 277)” (Ritzer 42). Secondly, Marx believed that social phenomenon can only be explained by an individual’s actions which can result into a specific event. So he believed that by understanding one individual, we can the impact of all. “…one factor may have an effect on another, but it is just as likely that the latter will have a simultaneous effect on the former” (44). Finally, he believed in dialectical reasoning. This is where we start with an idea or a contradictory person, and ideas/positions are built upon it resulting in 3 different positions. For example, the idea of feudalism turned into capitalism which in turn turned in to socialism/communism.
Looking at the principles that make up the Marxist Methodology, I believe and completely agree with what he is trying to express in his way of thinking. The idea that one individual affects all is, in my opinion, probably a big reason why our society is so messed up today. The saying, “it only takes one” comes to my mind when I read about these principles. I think that individual actions carry a lot of power that we do not realize, especially in the “civilized” society we live in today. We as Americans are provided an immense amount of opportunity and power that foreigners could only dream of; hence “the American Dream”. We live in a country where individuals have the right and ability to make something happen and have it affect our entire population. For example, in theory, as President of the United States, Barack Obama has the most control and power over the fate of the Americans. Yet all we do is criticize and mock his work. His decisions and actions set a destination for us as a country. One individual, one action, millions of people impacted. Another example would be the influential power that celebrities have. When we see stars like Lady Gaga or Kim Kardashian sporting the new trendy fashion fads, people go crazy to dress exactly like them or do exactly as they do. One individual, one action, millions of people impacted. It’s sad to see what our society has become…a bunch of wannabe groupies. Why is it that Americans are so easily influenced by their favorite celebrities to go buy whatever they sell? When will we as intellectual, socialized, civilized people follow the powerful actions of real individuals who fought for and made a difference like Martin Luther King, Jane Addams, Gandhi, or even Karl Marx himself?