Review:

 What is Structural Functionalism?

 What are the two types of Social
function?
 How can one achieved social
equilibrium?
Marxism
"A house may be large or small; as long as the
neighboring houses are likewise small, it
satisfies all social requirement for a
residence. But let there arise next to the little
house a palace, and the little house shrinks to
a hut." KARL MARX, Wage Labour and
Capital (1847)
Marxism
Developed by Karl Marx in the 19th Marx and Engels wrote the famous
century “Communist Manifesto” in 1846
Observations of Marx in London:
• When considering
Marxist theory it is
useful to remember the
3 Cs;
• Class
• Conflict
• Capitalism
• These provide a
“baseline” to Marxist
theory
3 Cs; CLASS
BOURGEOISIE
 Wealthy people
 The MINORITY
 Owners of the means
of production
PROLETARIAT
 Poor people
 The MAJORITY
 Working class
3 Cs; CONFLICT
 Social Conflict – the
struggle between
segments of society
 Class Conflict or Class
Struggle – conflict
between entire classes
over the distribution of a
society’s wealth and
power.
 3 Cs; CAPITALISM
 Economic system in which the
means of production of goods or
services are privately owned and
operated for profit
 For Marx, the end of capitalism
will be prompted by the
proletarian revolution; capitalism
results to alienation or the
experience of isolation and misery
resulting from powerlessness.
Four Ways in which Capitalism
alienates workers: (Karl Marx)
•Alienation from the act of
working
•Alienation from the products of
work
•Alienation from other workers
•Alienation from human potential
Is Marxism still relevant?
• Capitalism still contains significant contradictions. In this
way, it claims to be a progressive force at a time when
conditions in many parts of the world are getting worse, in
large part because of the activities of international
organizations.
• Capitalism is exploitative as Marx emphasized a century
and half ago
• Nationally and Internationally, societies are characterized
by massive inequalities.
 SYMBOLIC
INTERACTIONISM
“Man lives in a world of
meaning.” – George
Herbert Mead
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
 It is a perspective that relies on the
symbolic meaning that people develop and
rely upon in the process of social
interaction.
 A theory that analyses society by
addressing the subjective meanings that
people impose on objects, events, and
behaviours.
The three basic premises:
Herbert Blumer (1969) set out three basic premises of the
perspective:
 “Humans actions depend on the meaning of
the object.
 “ We give meaning to things based on
social interactions & experiences.”
 The meaning of symbols is not permanent
and change over time.”
QUIZ: ESSAY
1. What is your
stand on social
inequalities?
2. Give your honest
thought/s and
interpretation
about the latest
artwork of
Richard Gomez.
 “I am not who you think I am;
I am not who I think I am;
I am who I think you think I am.”
- Cooley