Auguste Comte

Stages of society

1. Theological phase-everything attributed to a supernatural being

2. Metaphysical phase-phenomena attributed not to a supernatural being but an impersonal
one-abstract forces and personifications
3. Positive phase-advanced stage-everything is explained through science and logic

Theory of progress-unilinear theory of evolution-every society travers through the same path-this
growth might not be uniform for all societies and might be broken at certain points.

Karl Marx-impact of economy on socio-cultural system-Centrality of economics in political structures

Phases of human history on basis of mode of production

1. Primitive communism
2. Ancient slave production
3. Feudalism Exploitation of one man by another, struggle for freedom
4. Capitalism

Dialectical materialism- will lead to the proletariat to slowly become politically conscious and
powerful- formation of a classless society-fifth and final phase

Development of society- development of social structures in response to changing material

conditions