Compare and contrast Weber’s themes and theoretical orientation with that of Karl Marx. Be sure to discuss Marx’s historical materialism and definition of classes.
What will be an ideal response?
Much of Weber’s writing reflects a critical engagement with, and extension of, Marx’s theory of historical materialism. Marx’s conviction is that ideas or interests have no existence independent of physical reality. “Consciousness can never be anything else than conscious existence, and the existence of men is their actual life-process” (Marx and Engels 1846/1978:154). In short, Marx argues that the essence of individuals, what they truly are, is determined by the material, economic conditions—“what they produce and how they produce”—in which they live out their very existence. This perspective, moreover, yields a radical conclusion: “The ideas of the ruling class are in every epoch the ruling ideas.”
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In a 2009 Gallop Poll 40 percent of those interviewed identified themselves as "conservative," while _____ percent identified themselves as "liberal."
A. 21 B. 33 C. 41 D. 54
Although male dominance in cross-sex conversations is an example of a micro-level analysis, it is also a reflection of macro-level relationships. Which sociological perspective(s) would focus on the macro-level forces that influence these male-female conversations?
A. functionalist perspective B. conflict perspective C. interactionist perspective D. both the functionalist and conflict perspectives
Which of the following is NOT characteristic of a social revolution?
a. New leaders come to power. b. The cultural system is transformed. c. There is a rearrangement of the society's productive capacities. d. The stratification system remains essentially the same.
Which of the following statements accurately reflects the consequences of fathers' multiple partner fertility?
a) Preschoolers exhibited more behaviors such as difficulty concentrating and acting defiantly. b) Multiple partner fertility parents are significantly more depressed than single partner parents. c) Preschoolers have more physical health problems such as asthma and diabetes. d) The amount of father involvement made no significant difference in the health of the children.