Pioneers of Sociology

In Time is a film set in the future that I believe best represents the theme of class. Counting down minutes is taken to a whole new level in this futuristic film. Disease is nonexistent and the only concern in which the population faces is what to do with their time. Humans are engineered to stop ageing at twenty-five and our given just a year longer to live, unless they work for extra time. The main character Will Salas is accused of murder and also of stealing extra time from those he’s murdered. In short Will must find a way to prove his innocence and take down the retched system that the oppressed hate so much. The film aired the 28th of October 2011, and stared actor/musician Justin Timberlake.

Sociology is the study of human social relationships and institutions. It studies the structure, development, and functioning of a society as a whole. Comparative sociology is a social science that measures social change over time. Social change is the way societies and cultures are altered over time, which produces the mode of production. Mode of production is a system that determines the way societies survive and remain functioning. “The Promise of Sociology" written by Charles Wright Mills explains that most men are unable to comprehend the effects of cultural and sociological changes that it can have on their lives.

Mussolini (1883-1945) - Fascist dictator of Italy from 1922-1943. Wanted to recreate the Roman Empire.

Millions of people were extremely frustrated with the fallout of World War I, they wanted change and a strong leader to guide them through their times of trouble. The answer to the people's’ prayers had been given to them with the new political idea of fascism. Not only did fascism rise, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler also rose to power during these times of crisis. Fascism, Mussolini, and Hitler were all able to rise to power because the people had called for change, and they found themselves gravitating towards the ideas of these two intelligent men. Both men were able to persuade many people over to their side. Millions of people quickly adopted the new ideas of fascism, Benito Mussolini, and Adolf Hitler, the people saw them as the light at the end of their long dark tunnels they seemed to be lost

Benito Mussolini outlines several essential characteristics of his preferred political ideology, Fascism, in what has become known as the Doctrine of Fascism. In this paper, Mussolini outlines his vision of the ideology, and explains the major issues that Fascism will address once it becomes the leading political system in Italy. Mussolini’s major points as outlined in the Doctrine included an extreme emphasis on nationalism, organization and modernization of the state, persistent focus on religion, life as a struggle, and the notion that individuals exist only for the improvement of society as a whole. Wolfgang Schieder, after reviewing the Doctrine of Fascism, explains Mussolini’s success based on it and

Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) was a revolutionary German economic theorist and communist with many publications on sociology, economics and politics. Many of his writings can be used and applied into the media. Marx stated that in prehistoric times, people had no concept of private ownership, and everything was shared freely. There was no government to rule over everyone, but small tribes of people who each had their own leaders. This was known as primitive communism. As time went by, people became greedy and craved wealth. Private ownership of land led to the class system developing, with the upper class owning the land that the lower classes lived on and worked off. This became the feudal system, which was headed by a king. This system suited the upper class however it also meant that the lower class was always kept at the bottom, with no way of moving up from their positions. Industrialisation in the 1700’s meant that power in society fell into the hands of the wealthy, as they owned the land and had the money to build factories,

However, this ideology differs from anarchism in that fascists believe that the individual has power over the government, which is hinders social progress. Benito Mussolini, former Italian Prime Minister, coined the term fascism, and explains in The Doctrine of Fascism, explains how systems such as capitalism, democracy and liberalism did serve a historical purpose and led to progress in society, but they became problematic. He believed that liberalism caused problems in society because the individual put first before the state. State interests were denied in favor of individual rights, which made the state subservient. Mussolini also criticized socialism, explaining that it reduced all problems in society to economic problems, and advocated for class warfare, which causes a divide in society, causing harm to society as a whole. Liberal democracy does not work either because it is misleading, and based only on the interests of the majority.

There was a time when the study of society was not considered a science. Throughout the years many pioneers began the study of society. These men and women were known as the pioneers of sociology. They were extraordinary people who looked at society in different ways. One of the most recognized pioneers is Charles Wright Mills or as most people know him, C. Wright Mills.

The general theme that surrounds the ‘Social Action’ approach is the rejection of the idea that society is seen to be a well oiled mechanism that influences individuals to behaviour in a pre-defined manner, though it cannot be denied that a ‘social structure’ does exist, but Weber and various other social action theorists, argue that its whole existence, that is society, stems directly from the interventions of the individuals that are at the root of this structure. In adopting this viewpoint, Weber believed that sociologist should focus their attentions on the comprehension of individual human behavioural patterns, in order to uncover a meaning (Haralambos et al. 2004). It was in his 1920s publication ‘Economy and Society’ that Weber

Karl Marx an influential German economist also known as the Father of Communism was the Author of the popular book, Dad Kapital (the capital) and The Communist Manifesto alongside with his friend Friedrich Engels. His words “Let the ruling classes tremble at the prospect of a Communist Revolution. The proletarians have nothing to lose from it but their chains. They have a world to win. Proletarians of all countries, unite!” is a wake-up call to the working to realize what they can achieve if they start a revolution against the abusive capitalist system. Karl Marx had an antagonistic standpoint regarding capitalism believing it caused an unjust division of classes, the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, and generated dehumanization and alienation.

For evidence of Benito Mussolini’s heavy-handed political tactics, one must first examine how his fascist party first rose to power in a country which had been a constitutional monarchy for many years prior. Although Italy had been among the allied victors of

Being one of the most feared powers in Europe during the twentieth century, Benito Mussolini was the leader and the founder of the Italian Fascist party. He had the most courageous and outgoing ideas and ways to reform Italy into its old roots. Benito had inspiring ideas as, to rebuild the “Roman Empire”, make Italy into a European superpower, and be a severe threat to the entire world. Benito was the editor-in-chief of “Avanti!” a socialist newspaper, and was able to spread the word of himself as well as the idea of Fascism. His ideas and tactics eventually led to him being dictator of Italy for 21 years.

the chapter of “The Legacy of American Sociology: William Julius Wilson” to his book When Work Disappears (1996), Wilson illustrates the poor situation of the inner city by integrating structural and cultural variables into a structural research framework, plus discusses how social structural variables caused the ghetto-derived cultural variables to exist.

Karl Marx theoretical perspective on conflict is by far one the most interesting theories in sociology. Born into a middle class family in Germany, he had a very close relationship with his father. Marx began his studies in law, but switched to philosophy.

Ever since the creation of man, society has been trying to achieve harmony between its citizens and establish a utopia in which everyone can live in peace and harmony. During the 1800s many citizens of capitalist countries believed that they were living in this utopia, however the working class begged to differ. It was not until the mid-1800s that someone finally stood up for these proletarians as this man believed that the exploitation of members of the working class was unfair. This person was called Karl Marx. This German philosopher inspired workers to rise up and challenge injustices and exploitations. In addition, his views on life and the social structure of his time revolutionized the way people think. It was not until Karl Marx