Compare and contrast Marx and Weber s arguments concerning the historical development of capitalism and its
Compare and contrast Marx and Weber’s arguments concerning the historical development of capitalism and its possible future. Karl Marx and Max Weber were two of the most significant sociologists in the nineteenth century. Their views on the rise of capitalism were at times similar. They both believed that capitalism was relatively new to the world and that it was a system of highly impersonal relations. If we look at Marx and Weber’s theories in turn we shall see further similarities and also differences. Marx saw history as consisting of both dialectic and materialism, which evolved through time. ... According to Marx, history would consist of stages of modes of production. These modes of production are primitive communism, slave society, feudalism, mercantilism, capitalism and then finally socialism and communism. Capitalism consists of those who own the means of production and those who are the means of production. In the formation of the capitalist society there are two prerequisites for the rise of capitalism. ... In the view of Marx the capitalist makes his money by the surplus of workers. ... According to Marx, any labour time over what is needed for constant capital is considered surplus. The other problem that Marx saw with capitalism is alienation of the workers from their jobs. ... In feudal times the labourer was able to see what the end product was and was able to sell it for themselves but under capitalism the labourer is not able to do this. ... Weber however had a different theory to Marx on the history of Capitalism. Weber believed that there was a link between capitalism and the Protestant work ethic. ... Weber felt that this belief was eventually implemented into society. ... Weber had found that in areas where Calvinism was the highest is where capitalism rose first. ... The rise in capitalism was where the protestant ethic was the highest. ... In comparison to Marx there are some similarities in this theory. Marx had believed that a certain portion of the wealth was needed for reinvestment, but it was reinvested into more capital.