Essay from the year 2003 in the subject Sociology - General and Theoretical Directions, grade: 2.1 (B), Oxford University (New College), language: English, abstract: The study of capitalism is a predominant theme in both Marx’s and Weber’s writings. In conjunction with Marx’s “Capital”, “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” by Weber constitutes one of the two great theories of capitalism. However, one has to note that both have written a great deal on the theories of capitalism. Both writers focus on the historical and causal forces shaping capitalist society, but where Marx believed in “economic determinism”, Weber also believed in so-called “non-economic” factors of capitalism. He based his analysis on a number of interconnections he saw between capitalist development and the influences of various spheres of society such as religion, law and political institutions. I am going to give an overview of the two different explanations for the origin of capitalism by Marx and Weber. Further I am going to investigate who of the two was right or whether the two theories can be synthesised. [...]

These essays, written in the 1930s and 1940s, represent a first selection in English from the major work of the founder of the famous Institute for Social Research in Frankfurt. Horkheimer's writings are essential to an understanding of the intellectual background of the New Left and the to much current social-philosophical thought, including the work of Herbert Marcuse. Apart from their historical significance and even from their scholarly eminence, these essays contain an immediate relevance only now becoming fully recognized.

Few themes have been as central to sociology as 'class' and yet class remains a perpetually contested idea. Sociologists disagree not only on how best to define the concept of class but on its general role in social theory and indeed on its continued relevance to the sociological analysis of contemporary society. Some people believe that classes have largely dissolved in contemporary societies; others believe class remains one of the fundamental forms of social inequality and social power. Some see class as a narrow economic phenomenon whilst others adopt an expansive conception that includes cultural dimensions as well as economic conditions. This 2005 book explores the theoretical foundations of six major perspectives of class with each chapter written by an expert in the field. It concludes with a conceptual map of these alternative approaches by posing the question: 'If class is the answer, what is the question?'

Maurice Ravel: A Research and Information Guide is an annotated bibliography concerning both the nature of primary sources related to the composer and the scope and significance of the secondary sources which deal with him, his compositions, and his influence as a composer and theorist.

Essay from the year 2012 in the subject Philosophy - Philosophy of the 19th Century, University of Bremen, language: English, abstract: Karl Marx and Max Weber are the classics of German sociology of the end of 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries. This paper provides a brief overview on Marx’ and Weber’s perception and definition of the notion of ‘capitalism’ as well as their further comparison. Capitalism in the theories of these two prominent sociologists is represented from the different points of view, thus, the comparison promises to be significant. As the main sources for this research it is planned to use main works of Karl Marx and Max Weber on capitalism, particularly: “Capital: A Critique of Political Economy” and “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” along with analytics and criticisms of their theories, which have been done by other sociologists.

English edition. Das Kapital (Capital) is a truly revolutionary book; it was forged during the political and industrial revolutions of the nineteenth century and became the keystone of many Communist revolutions of the twentieth century. In this comprehensive and carefully footnoted analysis of capitalist economics and expression of his theory of class conflict, Karl Marx (1818-1883) relentlessly argues that the accumulation of capital can only be achieved by bourgeoisie exploitation of the working classes.