A Comparison of Marx and Weber's Analyses on the Origins and Development of Capitalism

Abstract

Comprehending the emergence and growth of capitalism by understanding the similarities and differences between Marx's and Weber's perspectives is crucial. Numerous discussions have focused on this topic. Their analytical framework and the methodology should also be studied to compare their viewpoints on the origins and development of capitalism, mostly in Western Europe, since only through such an analysis can the perspectives of Marx and Weber be compared. This study compares Marx's and Weber's analysis of the development and origins of capitalism. Therefore, its main objectives were not to discuss whether Marx or Weber is correct in his analysis, compare the key material features of their two modalities of intellectual representation, or examine the history of capitalism. As the method of this study, their primary publications, letters, speeches, etc., were used in this study based on the concerns they are aiming to address as well as their responses to questions about the beginnings and development of capitalism. This was carried out by obtaining viewpoints on the subject of study from both Marx and Weber, as well as some of their supporters and detractors and subsequent discussions. The main argument reached by this thesis is that although the thoughts of Marx and Weber on the origins and development of capitalism are seen as rivals to each other by many, their analyzes are quite consistent with each other in terms of examining the various aspects of society, their examination methods, and their dialectical perception of society.