sociology

Karl Marx believed that economic power was the driving force behind social change, whereas Max Weber suggested that power was not limited to economic control and that social organizations have the potential to shape their environment. Weber argued that political leaders had the ability to influence the outcome of events and that the strength of an individual had social implications. Weber suggested that the power of an individual can be measured in aspects such as charisma and that certain individuals may be able to influence people beyond economic gains or losses. Thus, while they agree on the role of economic and political conflicts in changing societies, they differ in terms of leadership, outcome, and measures of power.