Comparative Essay Prompts Flashcards
You should be able to articulate each theorist's approach to the question, identify key points of contrast and alignment, and provide some evaluation.
Compare and evaluate conceptions of modern malaise in the theories of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim
Marx
* alienation
* exploitation
* revolution
Weber
* rationalization
* disenchantment
Durkheim
* anomie
* social disintegration
* solidarity
Compare and evaluate how stratification/cohesion was
addressed in the theories of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim
Marx
* Class
Weber
* Class & social status
Durkheim
* collective representations/effervescence
* religion
Compare and evaluate how the division of labour was addressed in the theories of Marx and Durkheim
Marx
* alienation
* ecploitation
* proleteriat/wage workers & bourgeoisie/capitalists
Durkheim
* solidarity (mechanical and organic)
Compare and evaluate how religion was addressed in the theories of Weber and Durkheim
Weber
* protestant ethic
* rationalization
Durkheim
* elementary forms of religious life (1912)
* totemism
* collective representations/effervescence
Compare and evaluate how capitalism and modern society was addressed in the theories of Marx and Weber
Marx
* strongly against (critiques)
* communist revolutions
Weber
* neutral observer
* protestant ethic & the spirit of capitalism
* rationalization/disenchantment
