Sociology I · Topic
Karl Marx
Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation and class struggle.
125 UPSC Mains Sociology I questions on Karl Marx that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
Who are contract labour? What are the challenges they face?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2025
Labour and SocietyOrganisation of Work
Examine how Weber's characterization of capitalism is different from those of Marx.
15 marks · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Karl MarxMax Weber
In Marx's view, social stratification is created by people's differing relationship to the means of production. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Karl MarxTheories of Stratification
Critically analyze Karl Marx's notion of 'alienation', in the context of present day capitalism.
15 marks · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Karl MarxLabour and Society
"Subjective perception of objective reality prepares the context for articulation of class antagonism". Evaluate this statement with reference to the Karl Marx's contribution.
20 marks · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Karl Marx
In what ways are Marx's and Weber's theories of class at odds with each other and to what extent can they be seen as complementary?
20 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2023
Theories of StratificationKarl Marx
"Religion is the opium of masses and an instrument of classes". Critically analyse
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2023
Karl MarxSociology of Religion
How could one use the Marxist class struggle concept to understand the farm protests and crisis in India?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2025
Karl MarxProtest and Social Movements
“Weber’s approach to stratification was built on the analysis developed by Marx, but he modified and elaborated on it”. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2017–2021
Theories of StratificationClass, Status, Gender and Race
"For Marx, the history of mankind is not only a history of class struggle but also of the increasing alienation of man". Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
Karl Marx
Is social change evolutionary or revolutionary? Discuss this statement in context of Marxian and Parsonian idea of social change.
20 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2021
Theories and Agents of Social ChangeKarl Marx
Globalisation has disproportionately affected lower-paid workers. Validate your argument on the same.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2025
Labour and SocietyOrganisation of Work
Critically examine the "conflict theory" of social change.
20 marks · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Theories and Agents of Social ChangeKarl Marx
Is society seen as a harmonious system with gradual changes to maintain stability, or is it viewed as a battleground where conflicts between groups drive significant transformations? Discuss in context of functionalist and conflict theory of social change.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Theories and Agents of Social ChangeKarl Marx
Explain Karl Marx's conception of transition from 'class-in- itself' to 'class-for-itself'.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2023
Karl Marx
'Though they take very different approaches to study society, both 'micro' and 'macro' sociology aid our ability to understand the social world. Comment.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Emergence of SociologyScience and Scientific Method
"Poverty, like any other social phenomena, survives because it is 'useful to society or some of its parts". Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
Equality, Inequality and ExclusionTheories of Stratification
Write a short note on "Industrial conflicts and strikes".
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Labour and SocietyOrganisation of Work
"Religion prevents social change by disguising exploitation and inequality". Critically evaluate the statement with reference to Marx and Weber's theory of Religion.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Sociology of ReligionKarl Marx
How does the idea of alienation manifest in contemporary white-collar workspaces?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Karl MarxLabour and Society
"Marx's conception of 'class-in-itself' and 'class-for-itself' has been questioned on the basis of 'empirical studies'. Elucidate
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Karl MarxTheories of Stratification
Work in industrial and post-industrial society can be alienating for the work force. Comment.
15 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2016–2017
Labour and SocietyOrganisation of Work
Draw a comparison between Durkheim's functional model and Marx conflict model in their treatment of the concept of 'division of labour'.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2019–2021
Emile DurkheimKarl Marx
In what ways are Marx's theory of 'Alienation' and Durkheim's theory of 'anomie' different from each other and to what extent can they be seen as having similarities?
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021
Karl MarxEmile Durkheim
The amount of unpaid labor performed by women is very large and profitable to those who own means of production. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2023
Patriarchy and GenderLabour and Society
Many social theorists have built on Marx's conflict theory to bolster it, grow it, and refine it over the years. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Karl MarxPower and Elites
The process of embourgeoisement is antithetical to the concept of 'proletarisation' and 'class in itself'. Critically analyse.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Karl MarxTheories of Stratification
"What key factors have acted as catalysts for revolutions throughout history"? Discuss with the help of different sociological perspectives.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Protest and Social MovementsPower and Elites
It has been suggested that a significant portion of Max Weber's theoretical framework was crafted through extensive and prolonged intellectual discourse with the shadow of Marx. Discuss.
20 marks · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024
Max WeberKarl Marx
What does Karl Marx mean by 'alienation'? How does alienation impact workers in a capitalist mode of production?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Karl MarxLabour and Society