Test: Introducing Western Sociologists - 1 - Humanities/Arts MCQ

- Karl Marx believed the Working class (also known as the proletariat) would be the group to bring about the revolution to overthrow capitalism.
- According to Marx, the proletariat, who own no means of production and must sell their labour to survive, would rise against the bourgeoisie, who are the capitalist class owning the means of production.
- This revolution would lead to a classless, stateless society where the means of production are communally owned, known as communism.

Topic in NCERT: class struggle

Line in NCERT: "the working class, who would unite to collectively bring about a revolution to overthrow it and establish a free and equal socialist society."

- Karl Marx outlined a historical progression of societal stages.
- He believed human society evolved through different stages before reaching capitalism.
- These stages included:
- Primitive Communism: Early communal living without class distinctions.
- Slavery: Societies structured around master-slave relationships.
- Feudalism: Land-based hierarchies with lords and serfs.
- Therefore, Marx believed that all of the above (Primitive Communism, Slavery, Feudalism) had occurred before capitalism.
- Correct answer: D: All of the above.

Topic in NCERT: Modes of Production

Line in NCERT: "These were: primitive communism, slavery, feudalism and capitalism."

- The Industrial Revolution primarily led to the emergence of modern industry and urbanization.
- It transitioned economies from agriculture-based to manufacturing and industrial-based.
- Factories and mechanized production processes were established, increasing production efficiency.
- This shift caused population movement from rural areas to cities, fostering urban growth.
- Large-scale agriculture did develop but as a consequence of industrial techniques applied to farming, not the primary outcome.
- Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

Topic in NCERT: The Industrial Revolution

Line in NCERT: "Modern industry enabled the urban to dominate over the rural. Cities and towns became the dominant forms of human settlement, housing large and unequal populations in small, densely populated urban areas."

- The Enlightenment period emphasized rational thought and scientific understanding of the world.
- This era, also known as the Age of Reason, focused on:
- Using reason and logic to understand and improve society.
- Advancing scientific inquiry and empirical evidence.
- Challenging traditional authority and beliefs, such as those upheld by religion and monarchy.
- Prominent thinkers like John Locke and Voltaire promoted ideas of individual rights, democracy, and secular governance.
- Option B is correct as it encapsulates these core principles of the Enlightenment.

Topic in NCERT: The Enlightenment

Line in NCERT: "During the late 17th and 18th centuries, Western Europe saw the emergence of radically new ways of thinking about the world. Refered to as 'The Enlightenment', these new philosophies established the human being at the centre of the universe, and rational thought as the central feature of the human being."

- The Industrial Revolution (D):
- The Industrial Revolution transformed economies from agrarian to industrial, leading to urbanization and new social dynamics.
- This shift created significant social changes, including class struggles and changes in family structures.
- These changes prompted scholars to study society scientifically, leading to the development of sociology.
- Founders like Karl Marx and Émile Durkheim examined the impacts of industrialization on social order and inequality.

Topic in NCERT: THE CONTEXT OF SOCIOLOGY

Line in NCERT: "Sociology is sometimes called the child of the age of revolution'. This is because it was born in 19th century Western Europe, after revolutionary changes in the preceding three centuries that decisively changed the way people lived. Three revolutions paved the way for the emergence of sociology: the Enlightenment, or the scientific revolution; the French Revolution; and the Industrial Revolution."

- The term "mode of production" is used by Marx to describe a broad system of production in a historical period.
- It refers to how a society is organized to produce goods and services, including the combination of the means of production (e.g., factories, land) and the relations of production (e.g., class relations).
- Marx identified different modes of production throughout history, such as feudalism, capitalism, and socialism, which reflect evolving economic systems and social relations.

Topic in NCERT: Marx's Conception of the Economy

Line in NCERT: "Marx's conception of the economy was based on the notion of a mode of production, which stood for a broad system of production associated with an epoch or historical period."

- According to Marx, the key factor in the formation of social classes is location in the production process.
- Marx's theory of class is based on the relationship individuals have to the means of production.
- The two main classes identified by Marx are:
- Bourgeoisie: Those who own the means of production.
- Proletariat: Those who sell their labour.
- This economic relationship determines one's class position and influences social dynamics and power structures.

Topic in NCERT: CLASS STRUGGLE

Line in NCERT: "For Marx, the most important method of classifying people into social groups was with reference to the production process, rather than religion, language, nationality or similar identities."

- Max Weber introduced the concept of the "Ideal type" to understand social phenomena subjectively.
- An "Ideal type" is a conceptual tool that serves as a measuring rod to compare actual social phenomena.
- It is a construct used to analyze social reality by focusing on its essential characteristics.
- This approach helps in understanding the subjective meanings and motives behind individuals' actions in a society.
- Weber's "Ideal type" supports a deeper analysis of social actions and structures.

Topic in NCERT: METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY

Line in NCERT: "Apart from empathetic understanding, Weber also suggested another methodological tool for doing sociology the ‘ideal type’. An ideal type is a logically consistent model of a social phenomenon that highlights its most significant characteristics."

- Max Weber's Bureaucratic Authority: Max Weber, a sociologist, described bureaucratic authority as a structured and organized system of administration characterized by clear hierarchies and rules.

-Features of Bureaucratic Authority:
- Functioning of Officials: Positions are defined by roles and responsibilities.
- Reliance on Written Documents: Documentation is crucial for maintaining records and consistency.
- Hierarchical Ordering of Positions: A clear chain of command and authority exists.
- Charismatic Leadership: This is not a feature of bureaucratic authority. It contrasts with bureaucratic principles, relying on personal charisma and influence rather than formal rules.

Topic in NCERT: Bureaucratic Authority

Line in NCERT: "bureaucratic authority characterised by these features: (i) Functioning of Officials; (ii) Hierarchical Ordering of Positions; (iii) Reliance on Written Document (iv) Office Management; and (v) Conduct in Office."

- Correct Answer: C

- Émile Durkheim, a founding figure in sociology, emphasized studying "social facts."
- Social facts are collective phenomena external to individuals, influencing behaviour.
- They can be observed and measured empirically, much like patterns in society.
- Durkheim believed sociology should focus on these measurable patterns, not on individual actions or abstract concepts.
- This approach highlights the importance of examining societal norms, values, and structures to understand collective behaviour.

Topic in NCERT: DURKHEIM'S VISION OF SOCIOLOGY

Line in NCERT: "the study of social facts was different from the other [...] sociology, a discipline that dealt with abstract entities like social facts, could nevertheless be a science founded on observable, empirically verifiable sciences."