CONCEPTUAL NEEDLES IN THEORETICAL HAYSTACKS: THE NOTION OF CONFLICT IN DURKHEIM AND WEBER

Sutherland, David Earl

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CONCEPTUAL NEEDLES IN THEORETICAL HAYSTACKS: THE NOTION OF CONFLICT IN DURKHEIM AND WEBER

Sutherland, David Earl

Abstract

The primary focal point of this paper is an investigation into the significance, if any , of the idea of conflict in two "classical" sociologists-Emile DurkheIm (1958-1917) and Max Weber (1964-1920). Although both developed sociology par excellence in their respective countries and were contemporaneous, neither seemed conscious of the other--they worked separately. The analysis of conflict comprises an exercise in comparative theoretical annlysis. The first problem, then, wi~l be to present a framework for comparing Durkheim and Weber. After a brief comment on the " times" in which they wrote, we move to an examination of conflict in first Durkheim End then Weber. The peper will end with a comparison and conclusion.