Sociology Issues
Name of Student
Institute of Affiliation
Karl Marx was one of the greatest philosophers whose works have inspired people around the world. Marx came up with many theories that showed the influence that can be brought by socialism. According to the theory of Marx, socialism is a gradual state of transition where individuals forget capitalism and begin to adopt communism. In this theory, individuals create a policy where a community owns the property. Each individual is obliged to contribute, and they later receive economic stimulus according to their needs. Marx suggests that society must rise and fall because of all the struggles arising from communism. The nature of communism is shown gradually through historical processes. Many individuals have criticized the theories of socialism and communism. This called for an analysis of how people perceive the arguments. While some individuals prefer capitalism, others have focused on improving the perception of communism.
Social class is where individuals are grouped according to their economic status and the social class they hold in society. This forms social hierarchies that put individuals at a high or low level in the community. The individuals in the upper social class are said to be the ones who control the government economically. They do this for their advantage of not caring about those individuals at a low level. Although people are equal in a contradictory manner, some are more privileged than others. Social class affects buying and selling, managing business enterprises and individuals should use the knowledge they have to advance their social class (Acker, 2006). The social class is also a determinant of the quality of services an individual receives. Those in the high social level have access to proper healthcare; they can afford good education and have political status in most circumstances. This is the opposite of what the individuals in the low social class can afford in terms of education and healthcare.
Marx, in his theory, highlighted religion and its freedom. Individuals should have religious freedom, whereby they are free to choose what they want to believe. Individuals are allowed to assemble and practice their religious beliefs in a manner that is acceptable to them. Individuals should not criticize a religious view of any kind because freedom enables every individual to practice what they feel comfortable doing. Religious individuals undergo religious suffering, which at times is an expression of real economic power. “Religious liberty is a hallmark of democracy. Having been freed from entanglements, religion has managed to flourish” (Sehat, 2011). Religious freedom differs from political freedom, whereby in political freedom, individuals can express themselves where they feel oppressed, and they can comfortably air out their political views. Politics is considered as a struggle for power, and hence individuals who feel the need to engage in politics have the freedom provided they meet the set guidelines.
The concept of civil society has been widely discussed regarding socialism. This includes citizens who are linked to each other through interests which they share in common. This consists of the activities carried out by an informal group of people in a way that is acceptable in society. Marx saw that analysis of civil society must do something more than to point fingers or provide descriptions (Tester, 2014). Through the study of civil society, it is possible to highlight issues such as why we live in our current communities. This should reflect on how we can understand the relationship between culture and our interests. Civil society is not well understood when it is reduced to the political concept. Civil society involves situations where individuals carrying out their life activities and how the members of society can do what they are told. Civil society helps to bring people together in performing a collective action.
The way individuals interact is based on stable patterns of social relations. Social structures come from what individuals associate themselves with, such as the type of groups or the institutions which they attend. Realities that individuals find themselves in, such as culture, have a .great impact on their social relations. Through the social structure, the attitudes and interests of an individual are recognized. Religion and political affiliations are forms of social structures. Individuals belonging to a particular religious group have shared beliefs, which in turn reflect on the type of behaviors they exhibit. Social structure is believed to contain parts and relations of diverse nature and variability (Nadel, 2013). Social stability can be maintained due to social structures. Individuals know their role in society, and they should be at peace to maintain balance. Social relations are based on shared values because most of the individuals who come together have a common interest or belief.
The rights of citizens are based on social issues that have to be followed. They constitute legal principals that an individual is entitled to. Human rights have evolved, and they are taken seriously now that they have been in existence for a long time. Politicians and governments should respect people’s rights and assist them where necessary. Human rights are a serious subject in the scope of philosophy. Individuals are supposed to have rights, such as life insurance, food, and child care. The social and historical state of affairs creates a difference in how human rights are administered. Peoples’ rights should be upheld with dignity and should not be taken for granted in moral and political discussions (Waldron, 2014). Human rights need considerations in many aspects, even though they may look appealing in some situations. Human rights should be taken seriously, and individuals should be aware of their rights, especially where they are encountered with difficult or legal circumstances.
Marx highlights communism issues that face the education system. According to the philosopher, the bourgeois is experienced in the education system. This is considered to belong to the individuals of high class, according to the traditional Marxist. Most individuals seem not to understand the social context associated with education. The education system is currently accessible to most individuals after it was made affordable and is not only accessible to high-class individuals. Marx developed the vision of man as having “free, conscious activity” as his “species character”, a vision which is important for education (Anyon, 2011). However, the division of individuals in classes still takes place in the education system. Those individuals of a higher social level can afford to study in prestigious schools compared to those of a lower class. The political and economic status still influences the education system.
In conclusion, the theories of Karl Marx play an essential role in the social aspect of human beings. Socialism is highlighted and how it is incorporated in philosophy concepts, for example, the civil society and rights of citizens. The element of religion has also been highlighted, and individuals have a right to choose any beliefs that they want to exercise. The constitution of the social structure is shown where individuals can differentiate the different social classes that exist. The education system, according to Marx, is faced by challenges whereby people are divided regarding their social and economic status. Sociology issues have been outlined and how they impact on individuals and society.
References
Acker, J., Baca-Zinn, M., Collins, P. H., Cox, O., Davis, K., Eells, K., … & Marx, K. (2006). Social class and stratification: Classic statements and theoretical debates. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Anyon, J. (2011). Marx and education. Taylor & Francis.
Nadel, S. F. (2013). The theory of social structure (Vol. 8). Routledge.
Sehat, D. (2011). The myth of American religious freedom. Oxford University Press.
Tester, K. (2014). Civil Society (RLE Social Theory). Routledge.
Waldron, J. (2014). Nonsense upon Stilts (Routledge Revivals): Bentham, Burke and Marx on the Rights of Man. Routledge.
\