Question 1(a) · 10 marks · 216 words written
Opening
Karl Marx pioneered the conflict school in sociology, which put at its heart the exploitation and division in society in 18th century Europe.
'Exploitation' at heart of his sociology
Body · points
- He wrote his work at a time when industrial revolution was at its peak, and problems related to modernity and urbanisation were widespread.
- He thus focused on the exploitation of the working class - such as low wages, appropriation of surplus value of labour, loss of autonomy and creativity in the process of production.
- He divided the society into 2 classes and traced how one class exploited the other, throughout different stages of
evolution of history -> slave-master in ancient society, peasant-lord in feudal society and proletariat-bourgeoisie in capitalist society.
His contemporary, Durkheim, focussed on the functional aspect of division of labour. However, Marx recognised the inherent dialectical relationship between the haves and the have-nots.
In his theory of Alienation, he puts the exploitation of the working class at the centre stage to give reasons for increasing alienation in capitalism.
His theory of religion also tells how it acts as an 'opium of the masses' and 'instrument of the classes' to sustain exploitation of the working class.
Close · a way forward
He thus suggests revolution to establish communism to put an end to this exploitation.