Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Karl Marx were all advocates of:
Question options:
A) Conflict theory
B) Structural functionalism
C) Capitalism
D) Symbolic interactionism
- According to Durkheim, which of the following is NOT a social fact?
Question options:
A) A religious belief
B) A law
C) A custom
D) All of the above are social facts
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Question 1:
Correct Answer: A) Conflict theory
Explanation:
Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Karl Marx were all influential thinkers in the development of conflict theory, though their contributions varied in focus and intensity. Karl Marx is the most well-known advocate of conflict theory, which views society as composed of groups competing for scarce resources. Marx emphasized the inherent class struggles between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class), arguing that social change arises from these economic conflicts.
Max Weber, while not a strict Marxist, also examined the role of power, authority, and economic interests in shaping society. He introduced a multidimensional view of stratification, looking beyond just class to include status and party. He recognized the role of ideas and beliefs, such as religion, in perpetuating social inequality, as in his famous work The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.
Georg Simmel contributed to conflict theory by analyzing how conflict and competition could also stabilize social relationships. He emphasized the forms and patterns of social interaction and how conflict could be a normal and necessary part of social integration.
While they had different approaches, all three theorists recognized that conflict—whether based on class, power, or social interaction—was a key driver of social change.
Question 2:
Correct Answer: D) All of the above are social facts
Explanation:
Émile Durkheim, one of the founding figures in sociology, introduced the concept of social facts to describe values, cultural norms, and social structures that transcend the individual and exert social control. According to Durkheim, social facts are:
- External to the individual
- Coercive in nature
- Collectively agreed upon by society
A religious belief (A), a law (B), and a custom (C) all meet these criteria. Religious beliefs represent shared values and moral codes; laws are formalized norms enforced by the state; and customs are traditional behaviors upheld by societal consensus. Therefore, all are examples of social facts, making option D the correct answer.
