Sociology was not yet a defined discipline still, Karl Marx is claimed as one of the founders of sociology. Marx’s approach to modern science that was distinctly sociological was his response of critical sociology (Little and McGivern, 2014). In combining his theory of Historical Materialism, alienation and the Communist Manifesto. It claimed Marx as a founder of sociology due to his political and intellectualised theories. By exploring the “appearance” of human nature, division of labour and class struggle, Marx critiques capitalism as beneficial to society (Little and McGivern, 2014).
Marx’s approach to modern society in the Historical Materialism renders his title as one of the founders of sociology. The theory explored human nature and its development based on material conditions (Acton and Baur, 2017:01). Whilst it was preconceived to primitive history, Marx fabricated this concept with what he predicted to be – capitalism (Acton and Baur, 2017:03). The notion subjects humans away from nature and undermines productivity through division of labour (Acton and Baur, 2017:03). This distinct approach through critical sociology, established himself as one of the founders of sociology. Marx’s analysis on “material conditions of life” is a fundamental motif in structuring modern society (Acton and Baur, 2017:04). By demonstrating institutions as not of human products but by economy (Hodges, 1959:24).
'Men make their own history, but they do not make it just as they please; they do not make it under circumstances chosen by themselves, but under circumstances directly found, given and transmitted from the past” (Marx, 1933:315 cited in Hodges, 1959:24).
Essence of humanity rose from premodern modes of production; feudalism (Acton and Baur, 2017:06). An agricultural system coat tailing on workers confined to serfs; owners of land in which they work on (Acton and Baur, 2017:06). This power position allowed the serfs to integrate with politics. Justifying their actions of aristocratic rule as “moral” and a “natural” order (Acton and Baur, 2017:06). Those who identified under this rule, Marx refer to as the bourgeois, the forerunners of capitalism (Hodges, 1959:22). With this establishment of politics, a new ruling class rose, foreshadowing its social struggle against another class (Hodges, 1959:22). Legal and political institutions weigh in 'like a nightmare on the living” (Hodges, 1959:24). Limiting the extent of creative conscious. Marking history as a source of class conflict drawing upon capitalism. This would be achieved through a series of revolutions e.g. the French revolution (Hodges, 1959:26). Marx’s interpretation of feudalism to capitalism portrays the ideology of political revolts. His work on sociology paired with the philosophy of history concerning social development. Comprised his theory of capitalism in the Historical Materialism through distinct approach of critical sociology. This established Marx as one of the founders of sociology.
Alienation is another of Marx’s result of critical sociology to approach modern science that claims his title as one of the founders of sociology. The most significance of this theory is of its implication throughout the present and future. Alienation refers to the utter surrender of self through separation of identity under capitalist agencies (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). Marx does not indicate alienation as a subjective feeling but as an objective experience of capitalism (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). This approach to modern society through critical analysis, further claims his title as one of the founders of sociology.
Likewise, in Historical Materialism, alienation is the segmented relations of humanity and nature through the projection of objectification, taking form of fetishization (Horowitz, 2010). Objectification is the loss of human authority and is placed under possession of another (Horowitz, 2010). Alterations between the unity of these relations demolishes human specificity (Horowitz, 2010). This distortion is enabled by the separation of class (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). Depicting struggles of worker and owner or proletariat and the bourgeoise (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). This power position heightens the value of quantity of commodity rather than quality (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). Reduction of production deprives workers of their passion of work and diminishes creativity (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). Therefore,
“the abstract existence of man as a mere workman who may therefore fall from his filled void into the absolute void” (Marx, 1844:75 cited in Seigel and Ollman, 1973).
Satisfaction to fulfil needs is now voided as society gains wealth, whilst workers themselves do not (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). Estranged labour only panders to the bourgeoise, thus, furthering the imbalance (Seigel and Ollman, 1973). Marx’s observation of alienation critiques capitalism detrimental effects on modern society through critical analysis of separation of humanity and objectification. This claims Marx’s title as one of the founders of sociology.
Marx claims his title as one of the founders of sociology through a distinct approach through the need of communism. In reference to alienated labour, Communist Manifesto, calls to overcome estranged labour by establishing the foregrounds of freedom (Jessop, 1998:26). Creating such an environment,
“man produces even when he is free from physical need and truly produces only in freedom from such need” (Marx and Engels 1956:40 cited in James, 2017).
Under this sphere of necessary labour, production possess intrinsic values that encompasses free and self-realisation through nature (James, 2017). This necessity expands satisfaction of needs thus mode of productivity develops (James, 2017). A binding force that enables a sense of engagement that replicates an environment open towards human creativity (James, 2017). Forming an association of independence and authority of work (James, 2017). Workers are no longer at bay of economic and social constraints of alienation. Contrary to Marx’s approach to modern society through critical sociology, the realm of freedom is hindered due to class struggle.
While it is important to note, the Manifesto offers an alternative perspective of Historical Materialism (Jessop, 1998:26). Marx’s argues,
“history of all hitherto existing societies is the history of class struggle” (Jessop, 1998:26).
History is embedded with class struggle as social and economic resources constrict human conscious of quasi-natural laws (James, 2017). Through critical sociology, Marx referred these laws with association of natural law. Capitalism, nature and labour all result in revenue, reflective of commodity performances (James, 2017). Wage interests and production that are suppressed by surplus interest (Booth, 2014). Allowing the bourgeoise to uphold their roles as natural tendencies by,
“winning their way through and working themselves out with iron necessity” (Marx and Engels 1956:23 cited in James, 2017).
Further establishing his title as founder of sociology. However, modern sociologist commented on this critique as ‘vulgar’ depiction (James, 2017). Allusion of struggles as a natural cause of reason (James, 2017). Marx’s approach to modern sociology through critical sociology appreciates communism whilst acknowledges the constrain of capitalism. Claiming his title as one of the founders of sociology.
Through Marx’s distinct sociological approach of modern society through critical sociology implementations, his impact and overall domination nature. Within the field has established him as a primary founder of sociology. Thus, through the expression of his primary idealisms within his Historical Materialism, alienation and Communist Manifesto, the overlying expressions of the theory of capitalism could be depicted and brought upon as a factor of himself as a founder of the idealism.