sociology origins and industrial capitalist society

1. emergence of sociology

  • sociology emerged as a response to significant social changes occurring in the 17th through the 19th centuries.

  • primary historical catalysts include:

    • the enlightenment (17th-18th centuries)

    • the french revolution (late 18th century)

    • the industrial revolution (19th century onwards)

2. historical origins of sociology
a. the enlightenment (17th-18th centuries)

  • european intellectual movement characterized by:

    • a critical stance towards the church and religious explanations.

    • a strong emphasis on science and empirical investigation as valid means of understanding.

    • the belief that both the natural and social worlds are comprehensible and can be understood through knowledge.

  • the enlightenment thinkers posited that knowledge propels human progress.

    • quote: "los padres have everything and the people have nothing; 'tis the masterpiece of reason and justice." - voltaire, candide, 1759.

b. the french revolution (1789-1799)

  • marked the collapse of feudalism in france.

  • the bourgeoisie (middle class) successfully overthrew the feudal government, establishing a democratic republic.

  • social hierarchy prior to the revolution:

    1. pope / church

    2. monarch

    3. nobles

    4. knights

    5. vassals

    6. merchants

    7. farmers

    8. craftsmen

    9. peasants

    10. serfs

c. the french revolution and sociology

  • the need to explain the transformations caused by the revolution led to the establishment of sociology.

  • key questions emerged:

    • what causes social revolution?

    • what factors contribute to social change?

    • is social harmony and order attainable?

    • which social group can create that harmony and order?

    • what does the future hold for society?

  • august comte (1798-1857) championed these inquiries as foundational to the discipline of sociology.

d. the industrial revolution (19th century onwards)

  • transition from an agrarian to a capitalist industrial society.

e. characteristics of a capitalist industrial society

  • as described by eric hobsbawm, this era marked:

    • the unprecedented unleashing of human productive power, allowing limitless multiplication of people, goods, and services.

  • specific changes involved:

    • growth of large-scale manufacturing and industry.

    • rapid urbanization and city growth.

    • emergence of a global economy.

    • increased international migration.

3. class structure in industrial society
a. workers, proletariat, working class

  • described as:

    • free wage-labor: individuals had no access to land or means of production.

    • they sell their labor power daily to earn a wage.

b. bourgeoisie, capitalist class

  • characterized by:

    • ownership of the means of production.

    • engaged in production for profit, seeking the accumulation of capital.

    • profits are derived from the extraction of surplus value from labor.

    • competitiveness in markets, resources, and profits leads to exploitation and alienation.

  • capitalism focuses on manufacturing and production intended for sale and profit.

4. early sociological theorists

  • key figures in early sociology, including:

    1. karl marx (1818-1883)

    2. emile durkheim (1858-1917)

    3. max weber (1864-1920)

a. key focus areas of early sociologists

  • exploration of transitions from agricultural to modern, industrial, and capitalist societies.

  • investigation of the consequences and implications of this transformation.

5. fundamental questions of sociology

  • early sociologists posed essential questions about society's structure and dynamics:

    1. what is the new structure of society?

    2. what is life like in this new context?

    3. how do social institutions support societal structure?

    4. how do individuals live, interact, and find roles in this structure?

    5. how are people socialized to accept and adapt to this new society?

    6. who holds power in this new societal framework?

    7. what new dominant ideas or ideologies arise?

    8. what new social conflicts emerge during this transition?

    9. what are the causes and processes of social change?

  • friedrich engels (1820-1895) emphasized that sociology was necessary to study, analyze, and explain the new industrial capitalist society.