Marx, modern Marxism, the Frankfurt School, and C. Wright Mills
The writers in this group are distinguished by their view of society as divided hierarchically into exclusive groups
The possibility of an ideal social order
They shared a critical perspective – used social science to criticize society, the ruling class in particular
Social analysis should not separate their work from their moral commitments
See their theories as a force for change
Objectivity is impossible – every writer has experiences socialization
Are certain their standards, subjective as they are, are the correct ones
Focus of critique is the way wealth, status, and power are distributed in society
Society is divided by a small group powerful and privileged people and an exploited mass of people
Unicausal theory: see people’s circumstances as primarily determined by one set of institutions, most often the economy or property relations
They do not believe that society must necessarily be segmented and unequal
Contrast the “irrational present” with a “rational future” in which human potential will be fulfilled
Assume their values reflect true human nature
Focus also on Praxis: social change in which an ideal society would be created
C. Wright Mills was the most influential American critical sociologist
The New Left was heavily influenced by Marx
About Me
- divine
- The great blessings of Mankind are within us,and within our reach;but we shut our eyes, and like people in the dark,we full foul upon the very thing we search for, without finding it.....
