Karl Marx and a Sociology Subfield

Karl Marx and a Sociology Subfield Marxist sociology is a way of practicing sociology that draws methodological and analytic insights from the work of Karl Marx. Research conducted and theory produced from the Marxist perspective focuses on the key issues that concerned Marx: the politics of economic class, relations between labor and capital, relations between culture, social life, and economy, economic exploitation, and inequality, the connections between wealth and power, and the connections between critical consciousness and progressive social change. There are significant overlaps between Marxist sociology and conflict theory, critical theory, cultural studies, global studies, the sociology of globalization, and the sociology of consumption. Many consider Marxist sociology a strain of economic sociology. History and Development of Marxist Sociology Though Marx was not a sociologist- he was a political economist- he is considered one of the founding fathers of the academic discipline of sociology, and his contributions remain mainstays in the teaching and practice of the field today. Marxist sociology emerged in the immediate aftermath of Marxs work and life, at the end of the 19th century. Early pioneers of Marxist sociology included the Austrian Carl Grà ¼nberg and the Italian Antonio Labriola.  Grà ¼nberg became the first director of the Institute for Social Research in Germany, later referred to as the Frankfurt School, which would become known as a hub of Marxist social theory  and the birthplace of critical theory. Notable social theorists that embraced and furthered the Marxist perspective at the Frankfurt School include Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Erich Fromm, and Herbert Marcuse. The work of Labriola, meanwhile, proved fundamental in shaping the intellectual development of the Italian journalist and activist Antonio Gramsci. Gramscis  writings from prison during the Fascist regime of Mussolini laid the groundwork for the development of a cultural strand of Marxism, the legacy of which features prominently within Marxist sociology. On the cultural side in France, Marxist theory was adapted and developed by Jean Baudrillard, who focused on consumption rather than production. Marxist theory also shaped the development of the ideas of Pierre Bourdieu, who focused on relationships between economy, power, culture, and status. Louis Althusser was another French sociologist who made expanded on Marxism in his theory and writing, but he focused on social structural aspects rather than culture. In the U.K., where much of Marxs analytic focus lied while he was alive, British Cultural Studies, also known as the Birmingham School of Cultural Studies was developed by those who focused on the cultural aspects of Marxs theory, like communication, media, and education. Notable figures include Raymond Williams, Paul Willis, and Stuart Hall. Today, Marxist sociology thrives around the world. This vein of the discipline has a dedicated section of research and theory within the American Sociological Association. There are numerous academic journals that feature Marxist sociology. Notable ones include  Capital and Class,  Critical Sociology,  Economy and Society,  Historical Materialism, and  New Left Review. Key Topics Within Marxist Sociology The thing that unifies Marxist sociology is a focus on the relationships between economy, social structure, and social life. The following are key topics that fall within this nexus. The politics of economic class, especially the hierarchies, inequities, and inequalities of a society structured by class: Research in this vein often focuses on class-based oppression and how it is controlled and reproduced through the political system, as well as through education as a social institution.Relations between labor and capital:  Many sociologists focus on how the conditions of work, wages, and rights of workers differ from economy to economy (capitalism versus social, for example), and how these things shift as economic systems shift, and as technologies that influence production evolve.  Relations between culture, social life, and economy:  Marx paid close attention to the relationship between what he called the base and superstructure, or the connections between the economy and relations of production and the cultural realm of ideas, values, beliefs, and worldviews. Marxist sociologists today remain focused on the relations between these things, with a keen int erest in how advanced global capitalism (and the mass consumerism that comes with it) influences our values, expectations, identities, relationships with others, and our everyday lives. The connections between critical consciousness and progressive social change:  Much of Marxs theoretical work and activism was focused on understanding how to liberate the consciousness of the masses from domination by the capitalist system, and following that, to foster egalitarian social change. Marxist sociologists often focus on how the economy and our social norms and values shape how we understand our relationship to the economy and our place within the social structure relative to others. There is a general consensus among Marxist sociologists that the development of a critical consciousness of these things is a necessary first step to the overthrow of unjust systems of power and oppression. Though Marxist sociology is rooted in a focus on class, today the approach is also used by sociologists to study issues of gender, race, sexuality, ability, and nationality, among other things. Offshoots and Related Fields Marxist theory is not just popular and fundamental within sociology but more broadly within the social sciences, humanities, and where the two meet. Areas of study connected to Marxist sociology include Black Marxism, Marxist Feminism, Chicano Studies, and Queer Marxism. Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

How to Tell if You Are in a Toxic Relationship

How to Tell if You Are in a Toxic Relationship â€Å"Toxic† is not just the name of a famous song by Britney Spears. It’s also a definition of a relationship that brings destruction and sadness. A toxic relationship is something that people often fall into without realizing how bad the situation is. They usually dont even try to escape this cage. Why? Because of love, affection, or fear. But if you feel unhappy with your relationship, its time to change something, and this article will help you understand if you are in a toxic relationship. Why Is It Important to Exit a Toxic Relationship? We all love love, and we all love being loved back. Thats why sometimes people prefer not to pay attention to little details that might ruin the magic of the world that this person has made up. He or she might not see the influence of the partner and their bad attitude because of a subconscious (or conscious) fear of loneliness. This is what makes a toxic relationship even worse – not all people are ready to end this nightmare. A toxic relationship often causes various mental problems – depression, neurosis, and anxiety alongside with low self-esteem or even suicidal thoughts. A relationship should bring joy, a sense of protection, care, and stability. A toxic partner takes all this away, creating an unhealthy atmosphere. The following are the most common signs that your relationship is slowly destroying you. 1. You Always Feel Guilty Guilt, in general, is a healthy emotion that we face throughout our lives. It helps us understand whats right and whats wrong or how to avoid making mistakes in the future. However, a constant sense of guilt is unnatural and unhealthy as it has a bad influence on your self-esteem and your psychological balance. Does your partner always comment on your actions or the way you look, making you feel like you do everything wrong? Then you should make it stop. 2. You Feel Lonely Even When You Are Together A great relationship means that your partner is also your best friend, someone whom you can talk to about anything in the world, who supports you and cares about you. However, if you feel like you are lonely and not understood even after trying to communicate with your partner, you may be involved in a relationship with the wrong person. If being together with your partner doesnt bring you any joy (and especially if it makes you feel worse than being alone), consider ending this relationship. 3. You Dont Share Much with Your Friends and Family Some partners are just too jealous. It can get so extra that it makes you talk less to the people closest to you. Toxic relationships make people distance themselves from their families and friends, which results in losing the chance to get help from people who know you the best. If your partner presses you to give up contacts with your friends and family, it is truly a bad sign. Ask yourself, why does your partner do that to you? Maybe he or she understands that this way you will become more dependent on your relationship. This is a manipulative move that ties you down and limits your freedom. 4. You Feel Emotionally Drained Not all vampires look like Edward from Twilight. Some of them look just like regular people. Of course, we are not talking about the ones who crave blood but about the ones who actually take your energy and will away. Emotional vampires might seem like a myth, but they do exist. They dont have fangs and dont make you fall into some hypnotic sleep. They just exhaust people around them and make people emotionally weak, suppressed, and dependent. By taking your inner calmness away with scandals, blaming, suspicions, and insults, they make you do what they want. Energy vampires might not look as scary as Dracula, but their toxic influence is as dangerous as sharp teeth of any bloodsucking immortal. 5. You Are Careful with What You Say and Do Are you always afraid of making your partner angry with what you say or do? Do your conversations feel more like tipping on your toes? If instead of expressing your thoughts and feelings genuinely, you have to be very careful with your words, that means that you dont have the kind of emotional bond that has to exist in a really deep relationship. Being with someone means understanding the needs of your partner and their experience. If you cant share what bothers you with your significant other, ask yourself if they are really the one who you should be with. 6. You Give up Things that You Like for Your Partner It doesnt matter what it is that your partner makes you give up (a hobby, a friend, a job), its not a good sign. If you like to dance, sing, meet with your friends, visit galleries, or if you have some other hobbies etc., but have to avoid doing it in order not to annoy your partner, this is one of the surefire signs of being in a toxic relationship. 7. You Dont Have Privacy Does your partner check your phone and emails? Does he or she want to spend all your time together? Is he or she against you spending quality time with your friends? If you can recognize your partners behavior in these questions – consider ending this relationship. If there is no trust in a relationship, there is no future for the couple at all. Think about the joy that you are forced to give up when you are not allowed to do what you want. You are in a relationship where you both are equal in rights, so there can be no â€Å"I dont allow you to do that.† Come on! 8. You Are Forced to Do What You Dont Want To A lot of toxic partners are really demanding, especially when it comes to plans, activities, etc. They usually consider your opinion irrelevant and decide everything for you. For example, if you are going to see a movie together, you might suggest some particular film, but in the end you always go see what you partner wanted. It also might be applied to other spheres of life. For example, sexual, social, professional, etc. If you feel like you have no voice in this relationship, its the time for changes. What to Do if You Are Trapped in a Toxic Relationship? Toxic relationships can rarely be fixed, as there is little to no understanding and willingness to change something. If you feel unhappy with your relationship, try to talk to your partner about your feelings. Comminucation is the key! However, if all of your efforts end up a disaster and your partner stays indifferent, dont blame yourself. Basically, what you have to do in this case is end the relationship with the least amount of damage as possible. Its not always easy, as toxic partners usually are afraid of losing the power they have over another person. Sometimes this might lead to aggressive behavior. So, be careful and try to distance yourself as much as possible. Dont fall for provocations and be strong – they might tell you that you wont find anybody else, that they love you like nobody ever will, or that they cant live without you. Your happiness should be the priority #1, and you can be happy, just believe it.