W.E.B. Du Bois was a premier American sociologist, whose contributions to social theory strengthen the philosophies of Marx, Weber, and Durkheim. Du Bois studied formally in America and Germany, where Du Bois developed his core philosophies. By interjecting the issue of race into the prevailing sociological discourse, Du Bois showed how to apply concepts like structuralism, functionalism, identity formation, and systems of power to social problems. Concerned particularly with racism, Du Bois showed that racism serves a distinct sociological function and is embedded in social institutions. In particular, racism upholds social structures and institutions that perpetuate hierarchies and power imbalances. Thus, Du Bois revealed the intersections between race and power and encouraged the application of social theory to racial conflicts. Unlike Marx, Weber, or Durkheim, Du Bois grappled with issues related to racial identity formation and especially how to reconcile an American identity with an African one. This is why Du Bois opted for Ghanaian citizenship and spent the last years of his life there. Fundamentally, Du Bois's teachings and writings parallel the claims made by Marx, Weber, and Durkheim regarding the ways individuals behave in social systems, the centrality of power in social institutions, and how social systems as a whole perpetuate themselves, change, or die. Like Marx, Du Bois recognized the capitalism is an innately and inextricably exploitative system. Also like Marx, Du Bois understood that social class...
Power depends on subjugation, which in turn depends on institutions like the legal and political systems. Thus, capitalism is reinforced by the law and upheld by social norms. "Class struggle was the result of class domination; and class domination, wjhich would be seen again and again in the historical archive, meant that the stronger classes used the state to take advantage of the weaker classes," (Appiah, 2014, p. 34). Only a revolutionary transformation can undermine the system of exploitation. Although some of Du Bois's political and social theories derive directly from Marx, Marx did not discuss race. Unlike Marx, Du Bois shows that race can be understood with regards to class conflict. The weaker classes by definition lack access to social, cultural, political, and financial capital. It is impossible to gain access to capital within the self-same system, which is why a revolution in consciousness or a political revolution becomes necessary. Marx urged self-empowerment, as did Du Bois.
Sociology The sociological imagination refers to the ability to see the world as a sociologist would: that is, by viewing individuals and relationships in terms of social structures, institutions, values, and norms. Usually, the sociological imagination addresses squarely the concepts of race, class, gender, and social power. One of the premier American philosophers of the early twentieth century, W.E.B. DuBois had an active sociological imagination. DeBois recognized the relationship between race
Her work in social settlements dealt with the problems created by urbanization, industrialization, and immigration. Unlike many other settlement houses, Addams' Hull-House residence provided kindergarten and day care facilities for the children of working mothers; an employment bureau; an art gallery; libraries; English and citizenship classes; and theater, music and art classes. "As the complex expanded to include thirteen buildings, Hull-House supported more clubs and activities such as a
(Frazer 8) to this end she develops the categories of "affirmation" and "transformation." In understanding Frazer's view it is imperative to bear in mind that older regimes of theory cannot achieve the synthesis that she is looking for and that new and more creative modes of political and social theory are necessary. In essence what Fraser suggests is that in order to overcome this antimony between redistribution and recognition and
Du Bois William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was a pioneer of sociology and a forerunner to civil rights activists later in the 20th century. DuBois used sociology as a tool or lens for viewing structural problems in the society, especially racism and racial inequality. W.E.B. DuBois earned his degree from Harvard University and after that established one of the first sociological research centers in the United States, called the Atlanta Sociological
Sociology: Comprehending September 11 attacks through the eyes of Emile Durkheim This research paper discusses a current event through the eyes of a social theorist. The Works Cited five sources in MLA format. Societies form individuals and social orders of different kinds produce different individuals. Hence our research paper will revolve around the following thesis statement: An individual is the product of his/her own society therefore those who take extreme measures to become what
True freedom does exist, but Black America has not yet found it. From Redistribution to Recognition? In this article by Nancy Fraser, the problem of social inequities is discussed in terms of the definitions that lead to potential solutions. Ms. Fraser spends a considerable amount of time examining the mechanics of race, gender, and sexuality. Rather than see society socialistically in terms of economics, the author singles out these purely cultural
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