According to the theoretical position developed by Karl Marx, what creates social change?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question recap: The prompt asks about Karl Marx's theoretical position on what creates social change, with four answer options to evaluate.
Option 1: 'Shared moral values' — While shared values can influence cohesion and norms, Marx emphasizes material conditions and class relations as the primary drivers of change, not merely shared morality. This makes this option an incomplete fit with Marxian theory.
Option 2: 'Development of technology' — Technological progress can affect social structure, but Marx situates the engine of social change in the mode of production and the resulting class struggle, not technology alone. Therefore this option captures only a partial aspect and is not the central mechanism in Marx's view.
Option 3: 'Conflict between social groups' — This aligns with Marx's core claim that history is driven by class antagonism arising from the capitalist mode of production, where conflicts between groups (e.g., the bourgeoisie and the proletariat) propel changes in social, political, and economic systems. This option directly reflects the central mechanism Marx emphasizes.
Option 4: 'Exploration beyond the boundaries of a given society' — While expansion or contact between societies can influence social dynamics, Marx's theory focuses on internal social relations, production relations, and class conflict within a society rather than exploration itself as the primary driver of change.
In sum, option 3 identifies the fundamental Marxist mechanism—conflict between social classes—as the primary catalyst for social change, whereas the other options describe factors that may influence or accompany change but do not capture the core Marxian argument about the motor of historical transformation.

Introduction to Sociology Exam #1

According to the theoretical position developed by Karl Marx, what creates social change?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

What theory argues that punishments for rule violators are unequally distributed, with those near the top of society subject to more lenient rules and sanctions than those at the bottom?

Question at position 32 According to the Inequality Lens (Conflict/Marxist), social order is maintained primarily through:Domination and power struggles.Cultural symbols and gestures.Shared norms and cooperation.The pursuit of rational self-interest.

Which of the following sociological perspectives argues that the educational system reinforces and perpetuates social inequalities arising from differences in class, gender, race and ethnicity?

To a conflict theorist, marriage and families are fascinating because:

Which perspective suggests that men may originally have become powerful in preindustrial times because their size, physical strength, and freedom from childbearing duties allowed them to dominate women physically, but in contemporary societies, these considerations are not so important?

Using an analogy to Marx's analysis of class conflict, conflict theorists would argue that women are in a position comparable to that of the

Maya feels that race relations in the U.S. is poor because the white ruling class has created laws and rules to keep other groups from achieving equality. From a sociological perspective, Maya's views align with which theory?

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler