Disciplines and Ideas in the Social Sciences

(By: Lon Joshua Lopez) Project in Social Science: All that I have learned

Monday, February 27, 2017

Empirical-Critical Approaches in the Social Sciences

Marxism
Marxism is a method of socioeconomic analysis that analyzes class relations and societal conflict
using a materialist interpretation of historical development and a dialectical view of social
transformation. It originates from the mid-to-late 19th century works of German philosophers Karl
Marx and Friedrich Engels.According to Marxism, economic issues are dominant in any society and it
has been responsible for all major changes in history. Capitalism will eventually be replaced by a
socialist system and a classless society in which there is no exploitation or private property. The
state will then provide work and everything one needs to live. The previously exploited masses or
proletariat will take the lead in this new society.

Marx describes the social classes in capitalist societies:

Proletariat: "the class of modern wage labourers who, having no means of production of
their own, are reduced to selling their labour power in order to live". As Andrei Platonov
expressed "The working class is my home country and my future is linked with the
proletariat." The capitalist mode of production establishes the conditions enabling the
bourgeoisie to exploit the proletariat because the workers' labour generates a surplus
value greater than the workers' wages.
Bourgeoisie: those who "own the means of production" and buy labour power from the
proletariat, thus exploiting the proletariat; they subdivide as bourgeoisie and the petite
bourgeoisie.
Landlords: a historically important social class whose members retain some wealth and
power.
Peasantry and farmers: a scattered class incapable of organizing and effecting socio-
economic change, most of whom would enter the proletariat while some became
landlords.
Communism
The ideology, based on Marxism, in which communal ownership of means of production is
promoted.In a communist society, there must be no private ownership and no class structure. Each
member of the community must work according to his or her abilities for the good of the whole
community and they should be rewarded according to their needs. Communism must be brought
about by revolution and violence, and is associated with a totalitarian Communist Party who takes
total control of economic, social and political aspects.
 "Karl Marx"

Feminist Theory
Feminist theory is a major branch of theory within sociology that is distinctive for how its creators
shift their analytic lens, assumptions, and topical focus away from the male viewpoint and
experience. In doing so, feminist theory shines light on social problems, trends, and issues that are
otherwise overlooked or misidentified by the historically dominant male perspective within social
theory. Key areas of focus within feminist theory include discrimination and exclusion on the basis of
sex and gender, objectification, structural and economic inequality, power and oppression, and
gender roles and stereotypes, among others.

Feminist theory focuses on analyzing gender inequality. 

Themes explored in feminism include: 
Discrimination
Objectification (especially sexual objectification)
Oppression
Patriarchy
Stereotyping
Art history
Contemporary art
Aesthetics

Znol Zepol at 5:59 AM

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1 comment:
 Unknown December 2, 2018 at 7:51 PM
nice presentation
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