The Role of Max Weber and Theodor Adorno in the History of Social Thought - Essay Example

The Role of Max Weber and Theodor Adorno in the History of Social Thought The Role of Max Weber and Theodor Adorno in the History of Social Thought Introduction The works of Max Weber provided basis for the contribution of Theodor Adorno but the former German philosopher revealed the true nature of governmental systems of Nazi Germany and Soviet Union. He bluntly argued that governmental systems are based on Marxism and therefore, they work in order to help capitalist in terms of fulfilling his or her agenda of making more money (Boisot & Child, 1996). Marx tried to establish the belief that national systems must work to support the development of a few individuals and Marxism was converted into practical application of capitalistic philosophy in the modernist world. Weber is of the view that Marx’s economic theory is used to create imbalanced societies where economic and political power resides in a few hands and others are either left to suffer or they keep on working to make capitalist richer (Hardt, 2010). However, according to Weber, Marx wanted to establish a system in which capitalists should be helped in the process of making money but then they have to spend their earnings on welfare of general public. The theory of Marx had two stages but only the first one was implemented at the time when the world entered into the 20th century. The works of Weber and Marx are then used to create the philosophy of socialism which again takes away the power and authority of owning something from the general public and for the second time in human history, economic along with social differences and inequalities were recorded at the highest level. History and Early Works of Max Weber Max Weber born on 21 April 1864 and he is considered as the most influential German sociologist in the history. The foremost works of the economist include social theory and research. The work of the featured gentleman is identified as equivalent to those of Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim (Adair-Toteff, Maley, Scaff, Bruun, & Whimister, 2014). The philosopher worked in order to explain people’s need and want to maximize their interest and he continued to highlight a reality that human relations are based on social exchange which requires everybody to reciprocate in response to each positive contribution made by others (Kreiss, Finn, & Turner, 2011). Weber redefined rationalism and referred to as a framework that should make sensible use of FOPs but the modern organization must ensure that it is giving more to the society in comparison to what it has taken or is taking from the community. The notion of Social Corporate Responsibility is deducted from the works of Weber (Strand, 2013). The research conducted by Weber combined cultural and religious attributes in order to determine sociological outlook of the particular community. The works of the economic specialist guided nations to consider government as a system that engages with the help of imposing policies and laws that govern different aspects of public life. He also joined politics and founded a liberal party named German Democratic Party which remained ineffective with respect to leaving any notable mark in the political life of the country. He finally died after contracting Spanish flu in 1920 at the age of 56 years. Max Weber’s Contributions regarding Social Thought Weber successfully contacted the cultural, normative and religious variables with the demons of social and economic inequalities. All religions of the world were interpreted in a way that they supported Marxism in one way or another (Adair-Toteff, Maley, Scaff, Bruun, & Whimister, 2014). The Protestant Ethics hold on to the point that individual must not serve the society without safeguarding his or her interest beforehand. The traditional economic philosophy of Judaism established the need to flair economic inequality so that people should remain dependent on a few hands to fulfill their needs. The followers of Judaism believe that they are the chosen ones and therefore, they have the foremost claim to the blessings of God. The Islamic teachings are also twisted and turned in order to push people into believing that they have to watch their self interest before giving services for the society. Based on the above arguments, it can be assumed that all leading world religions have presented economic philosophy of a similar kind and sort. The Christians, Muslims and Jadish are knowingly or unknowingly working to create more social inequity in the world by accumulating more wealth (Boisot & Child, 1996). The political power is dependent on one’s economic strength and in this way; capitalistic hands are emerging as leading politicians in the world as well. The capitalist may not take part in politics directly but he or she is always playing his or her hand by remaining behind the curtains. Weber found that human civilization is being run by money and therefore, those who have it in abundance end up with political power as well. The capitalistic goals and objectives are supported by leading religious and economic theories of the world (Kreiss, Finn, & Turner, 2011). The main argument that Max Weber presented is all about leading governmental and religious regimes which had been working to promote social inequality throughout the world. Weber worked to highlight the issues of modernist world but Adorno proposed possible solutions to them in his contributions. Theodor Adorno’s Early Works and History Theodor Adorno born in 1903 in Germany and he touched the fields of sociology, philosophy, economics and music. His works are considered parallel to those of Walter Benjamin and Max Horkheimer. He carried the work in the fields of ontology and invented the way of studying social sciences with the help of empirical and scientific evidence. His works also challenged capitalism and authoritarianism while supported the concept of democratic economy which became the leading way of managing linkages of individuals with government (Eyerman, 2013). Theodor most valuably continued the works of Max Weber and integrated importance of legal system in the social mechanism of national government. Additionally, he recommended the governments to focus on fulfillment of public interests rather than those of capitalist’s goals. Theodor died in 1969 after contributing significantly in the array of professions (Turley, 2001). Theodor Adorno’s Contributions relevant to Social Thought The works of Weber provided Adorno with basis to carry the effort forward. Adorno argued that national and governmental systems must exert themselves in terms of applying utilitarian approach towards economic management. The governments of developed nations got the key message and tightened their tax collection system and they do not let money swarm in the hands of capitalist. Nevertheless, Theodor was of the viewpoint that states that the matters of religion and world must be kept separate because interference of theology led to bloodshed in the human history. Theodor’s work guided governments throughout the globe towards focusing to fulfill the basic needs and wants of population. The featured sociologist and economist believed that government must play the role of social worker whereas according to his views, individuals must not hesitate from working for the betterment of the society upon realizing that they are not well paid. The countries and nations are known to play a notable role in the lives of their citizens so it is the ethical duty of individuals to serve the homeland as selflessly as possible. Additionally, Theodor acknowledged the finding of Weber that argued that governments work to serve people who have money (Porter, 1994). Theodor expanded the preexisting argument and added that government must empower middle and lower social classes of the countries by causing the money supply to flow from rich to poor. The nations realized the need to make it necessary for the capitalists to pay the taxes and Marxism’s assumption is now considered inapplicable that expected capitalist to engage into investing funds into the betterment of the society. The works of Theodor challenged the Marxism in multiple ways but the most powerful came when he successfully recommended the nations to consider general public’s interest more important than those of capitalist. The neoclassical economist developed the tradition of charging higher tax rates to rich and lower ones are charged to poor population. However, the empowered role of government in modern economic management is adapted from the works and recommendations of the great Theodor. He established his argument on the basis of previously presented one by Marx and Max but Theodor’s role in guiding the world to control money supply amongst higher ranks of the society will help social equality to become more powerful (Alvesson, 1992) and currently, the societal situation of developed countries is getting better and better only due to focus of government on social service of the public. Findings The works of Max Weber provided basis for the contribution of Theodor Adorno. He bluntly argued that governmental systems are based on Marxism and therefore, they work in order to help capitalist in terms of fulfilling his or her agenda. Marx tried to establish the belief that national systems must work to support the development of a few individuals. Marxism was converted into practical application of capitalistic philosophy in the modernist world. Marx wanted to establish a system in which capitalists should be helped in the process of making money but then they have to spend their earnings on welfare of general public. The works of Weber and Marx are then used to create the philosophy of socialism which again takes away the power and authority of owning something from the general public. Weber redefined rationalism and referred to as a framework that should make sensible use of FOPs. The notion of Social Corporate Responsibility is deducted from the works of Weber. The research conducted by Weber combined cultural and religious attributes in order to determine sociological outlook of the particular community. The works of the economic specialist guided nations to consider government as a system that engages with the help of imposing policies and laws that govern different aspects of public life Weber successfully contacted the cultural, normative and religious variables with the demons of social and economic inequalities. The Christians, Muslims and Jadish are knowingly or unknowingly working to create more social inequity in the world by accumulating more wealth. The main argument that Max Weber presented is all about leading governmental and religious regimes which had been working to promote social inequality throughout the world Theodor Adorno born in 1903 in Germany and he touched the fields of sociology, philosophy, economics and music. His works also challenged capitalism and authoritarianism. The governments of developed nations got the key message and tightened their tax collection system. Theodor’s work guided governments throughout the globe towards focusing to fulfill the basic needs and wants of population. The countries and nations are known to play a notable role in the lives of their citizens so it is the ethical duty of individuals to serve the homeland as selflessly as possible. Theodor expanded the preexisting argument and added that government must empower middle and lower social classes of the countries by causing the money supply to flow from rich to poor. However, the empowered role of government in modern economic management is adapted from the works and recommendations of the great Theodor. Conclusion This paper has reviewed and analyzed the works of Max Weber and Theodore Adorno and found that both economists’ contributions are intertwined because former specialist provided basis for the works of the latter one. However, Max identified the problems and Theodore suggested solutions to the issues which were identified in the past. References Adair-Toteff, C., Maley, T., Scaff, L., Bruun, H., & Whimister, S. 2014. Max Weber: ‘A Source of Endless Fascination’. Sociology Vol 48 No.1, 186-191. Alvesson, M. 1992. Leadership as Social Integrative Action. A Study of a Computer Consultancy Company. Organization Studies Vol 13 No. 2, 185-209. Boisot, M., & Child, J. 1996. From Fiefs to Clans and Network Capitalism: Explaining Chinas Emerging Economic Order. Administrative Science Quarterly Vol 41 no.4, 600-628. Eyerman, R. 2013. Social theory and trauma. Acta Sociologica Vol 56 No.1, 41-53. Hardt, M. 2010. The Common in Communism. Rethinking Marxism A Journal of Economics, Culture & Society 22, 3, 346-356. Kreiss, D., Finn, M., & Turner, F. 2011. The limits of peer production: Some reminders from Max Weber for the network society. New Media & Society Vol 13 No.2, 243-259. Porter, T. M. 1994. 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