Different sociological theories

The study of different sociological theories gives insight toward better understanding of the society and understanding of complex social relationships. In this respect, it is possible to refer to books by Farganis and Ritzer, where the authors attempt to explore the rise and development sociological theories in the context of the study of classical theorists and theories. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that both authors conduct the detailed analysis of sociological theories and uncover their essence and specificities.

Farganis focuses his attention on works by Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber in first three chapters of his book. The author discusses in details each theory and works of each theorist to understand better their position and help readers to understand the development of the sociological theory under the impact of the aforementioned philosophers. In this regard, the author discusses in details the social conflict theory, which was developed by Karl Marx but works written by Max Weber and Emile Durkheim also contributed consistently to the development of the conflict theory, which became one of the major sociological theories in the late 19th ”“ early 20th century.On analyzing the works by Karl Marx, Farganis discusses the major concept of Marx’s theory, including alienation, class struggle, and class consciousness. On analyzing works created by Durkheim, the author focuses on such concepts as the rules of sociological method, anomie and social integration, egoistic suicide and anoic suicide and studies the elementary forms of the religious life. Finally, in the chapter dedicated to Max Weber, Farganis focuses on Weber’s views on the development of protestant ethics, the spirit of capitalism and bureaucracy.

As for Ritzer, the author focuses on the development of the sociological theory and he starts his book from analyzing the process of creating sociological theory and defining sociological theory. At the same time, the author develops a more realistic view and multicultural social theory. To understand the current development of the sociological theory, including multicultural sociological theory, the author refers to classical grand theories, including those of Emile Durkheim, who developed the idea of transition of the society from mechanical to organic solidarity. In addition, the author dwells upon works by Karl Marx and his study of the transition from capitalism to communism, as the ideal form of human society and the next step in the development of society for communism should be the new historical formation. Furtehrmore, Ritz discusses Max Weber’s works and his concept of the rationalization of society. Also the author discusses George Simmel and his cultural studies and his idea of the growing tragedy of culture. At the same time, the first chapter of the book also discusses Thorstein Simmel’s idea of increasing control of business over industry Multicultural social theory.

The second chapter of the book focuses on different types of action association, social behaviorism, symbolic interactionism, action theory, the life world. In such a way, the author reveals the evolution and transformation of the sociological theory and the development of fundamental concepts, which are closely integrated into the contemporary sociological theory.
Thus, both books focus on the rise and development of the sociological theory.

Works Cited
Farganis, James. Readings in Social Theory; The classical tradition to post modernism, 3rd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2000.
Ritzer, George. Contemporary Sociological theory; and it’s classical roots. New York: McGraw Hill, 2003.



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