Karl Marx and Max Weber differ in their theoretical assumptions in that Marx believed that economic factors were the most important determinant of social change while Weber believed that social factors were the most important determinant of social change. Marx believed that the economic factors were the most important determinant of social change. He argued that as long as society was divided into classes with conflicting interests, there would be a continuous struggle between them for economic resources and political power.
Marx argued that capitalism would eventually collapse as workers failed to be paid enough to buy back what they produced. He believed that a revolution would occur, and communism would replace capitalism. Marx’s economic theory is often referred to as historical materialism, which states that history is determined by economic forces.
In contrast, Weber’s theoretical assumptions focus on social factors. Weber argued that institutions such as religion, law, politics and economics are all important influences on society. He also argued that these institutions were not separate entities but rather interconnected parts of society which influence each other as well as individuals within them. This is known as institutionalism or multilinear thinking.
Weber argued that social factors were the most important determinant of social change. He believed that individuals have different value systems which guide their actions. Weber believed that these value systems were based on religious beliefs or ideologies (such as nationalism).
