preview

Differences Between Du Bois And Marx

Better Essays

While there were many similarities between Du Bois and Marx there was also key differences, particularly the type of division in society and social groupings discussed. Marx was interested in how Social Classes were divided and the economic conditions which led to the subordination of the poor to the wealthy (Ritzer & Stepnisky, 2018). Du Bois took this idea a step further and studied the ways in which society was stratified by race and how minority groups were viewed and subsequently exploited by the dominant racial groups. An intersectionality existed in Du Bois’ work that was a departure from conventional Sociology up to that point. As a conflict theorist, W. E. B. Du Bois is naturally lumped in with other theorists in that field and …show more content…

According to the theory, a person may be close to others in proximity yet does not conform completely to the system and maintains their own customs and norms. As a result, a division arises in society between “the stranger” and other of different social groups who view this nonconformity as dangerous, threatening, and suspicious. The stranger may also have different expectations placed upon them than other groups in society. This divide that separates the stranger and society is compared to a veil, like that of Du Bois. Both theories discuss a “sense of otherness” that Individuals may experience in Society (Appelrouth & Edles, 2016, p. 289). The sense of otherness produces a strain in how members may act and view the world around them. Du Bois contributed to Sociological Theory in several other works published, specifically The Philadelphia Negro. This work was one of the earliest sociological studies to analyze urban life and African Americans. He analyzed various issues in living conditions, education, work life, etc. of the black population living in Philadelphia, something never done before (Du Bois & Eaton, 1976). The goal of his work was to get to the root of the mass amount of difficulties that plagued African Americans in urban areas and pose solutions to improve their standing. From the study, he coined the term the Talented Tenth. The Talented Tenth was described as a need for the most educated and successful of African Americans to gain as much knowledge

Get Access