Karl Heinrich Marx was born in May 18, 1818 in Trier Germany. His life was guided by the principle sociologist should change the world rather than just study it. In the 1840s Marx thoughts and ideas were influenced by the socialist views. Though some give Marx the title of “the father of communism” other argue that it was Marx who invented the idea of capitalism (A guide to Marx’s capital 1984 p.3). His opinions and views began to from during the mid 1840s. During this time he became a socialist. He also became friends with Friedrich Engels, and got interested in the economy. He was later left Germany as an exile and moved to Brussels. He once a gain experienced the harshness of benign an exile when he was banned from England as well. After this he could not have a regular job. The harsh treatment he received was the key that influence him to his ideas about class conflict ( A guide to Marx’s capital 1984 p.1)

Karl Marx was born in a middle class family. (Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology, 360). He had five siblings. He’s family had Jewish origin but latter converted to Protestant (The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology volume VI Le-M, 2807). Marx followed in his father’s foot-steps and attended the University of Bonn to become a lawyer. However he spend most of his time socializing and running up debt. His father, who supported the enlightment, suggested for him to attend another University. Under his fathers advice he transferred to another university where he became influenced by his teacher Brono Bouer. He introduced Marx to Georg Wilhelm Fredric Hegel. Marx completed his doctoral and became university lecture in 1838(Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology, 361) . However, since Hegel lost his academic position and given Marx Jewish background he knew he would not be allowed to continue studying. This illistrated that social consept of formal sanctions. Therefore he did not complete his second thesis which is required to enter German academia( The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology volume VI Le-M, 2807). During this time the idea of communism started to surface and the struggle between communism and democracy began. Marx had a more simple and down to earth views. Later in life he moved to a place to Cologne so that he could distance himself from the empty views of many of young Hegelians ( Cambridge Dictionary of Sociology, 361). Marx marriedjenny Von Westphalen. He lived from1818 to 1883 finishing his life at an early age of 64. through out his life some of the people that influenced Marx's work and his ideas were Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Immanuel Kant, Epicurus, and Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach amongst others.

Marx and his wife, Jenny Von Westphalen

Marx had many interests. He first attended law school but did not complete it. He then transferred into another school, where he became interested in Hegel’s ideas. After getting his doctorate he started lecturing in 1838. Later on he became festinated with economy and politics which led him to try and understand the class struggle. He tried to create a form of society that would help the working class. This is because while he was going up he was part of a middle class family of Jewish religion. But his family later converted to Protestant. Through out his life time he constantly felt the need to go against authority. He was exiled twice for his controversial works. Though he was viewed as a deviant person he had a life long strong friendship with Fredrich Engels.

Marxism includes works from Karl Marx and Friendrich Engels. Some of Karl Marx contributions include the theory of class conflict. Class conflict is the ongoing struggle between the owners and the working classes.. He identified several classes in the 19th century. These classes include farmers, servants, factory workers, craftspeople, owners of small businesses and money capitalist. He predicted that at some point all industrial societies would contain only 2 , and the proletariat, those who work for the bourgeoisie and are paid just enough to survive. This is not being used today because it is too much of a narrow view of classes. However this idea can be viewed in practice all over the world. As the class video demonstrated many companies take their business over seas whsocial classes. The two social classes include the bourgeoisie, those who owned the means of production wealther they pay the working class barely enough to survive
One of the theorist that disagreed with Karl Marx is Barbara Erbhrenreich. She argues that Marx theory about the means of production being the only thing that shaped our society was wrong. Instead she argues that it’s the means of distribution that shapes our society( Warlike Societies Perpetuate War p.2) . Another theorist that disagreed with Karl Marx was Weber. Even though they studied much of the same material their theories were different. This could be a result of background differences that influenced them. Today some of Webers ideas are used over Marx and some of Marx are used over Weber( Political Sociology p.1)

Some of Karl Marx theories are being used today. The theory that there are the owning class and working class is still used amongst societies to explain some of economic status. Other people that followed his theories were Hitler and today HU Jintao. They both like the views Marx had about society. Jintao especially likes the idea that religion is a form of authority. These are some of the few people that put to practice his theories.



Routledge: Kegan Paul. 1978. Marx’s Capital and Capitalism Today: Volume Two. London, Hanley, and Boston.

Anthony Brewer. 1984. A Guide to Marx’s Capital. London, New York, New Rochelle, Melbourne, and Sydney: Cambridge University Press.

J. Craig Jenkins.” Political Sociology.” Encyclopedia of Sociology, 2000, 1. Coll. of DuPage Lib. Glen Ellyn, IL. 16 Jun 2008.

Barbara Ehrenreich. “War like societies perpetuates war.” Opposing view points.: 2005, p.2. Coll. of DuPage Lib. Glen Ellyn, IL. 16 Jun 2008.

Richard T. Schaefer. 1994. Sociology a brief introduction. New York, NY. McGraw-Hill companies, inc.

Routledge: Austin Harrington, Barbara I. Marshall, Hans-peter Muller.2006. Encyclopedia of Social Theory. London, and New York.