The Main Factor That Encourages The Birth Of Sociology, From The American Revolution To The French Revolution

Illustration of sociological science (Pinterest/@odysseypins)

YOGYAKARTA - The main factor driving the birth of sociology is a major change in the lives of Europeans. In the 18th century, the world witnessed various revolutions that rocked the social, political and economic order that had lasted centuries.

These changes make many thinkers feel the need to find new ways to understand the society and the dynamics that occur in them. In addition, rapid developments in science and technology also accelerate human awareness of the importance of scientific approaches in understanding social life.

Various turmoil that has occurred in Europe raises great questions about how people work and why social change can occur so quickly. Sociology was finally born as an answer to the human need to understand social change rationally.

Three major revolutions in the 18th century, namely the American Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and French Revolution, played a major role in encouraging the birth of sociological science. The American Revolution (1765-1783 AD) became a milestone in the emergence of the idea of people's sovereignty and human rights.

This revolution marked the establishment of a democratic republic in North America, which was different from most European countries at that time which still adhered to a monarchy system. Ideas about freedom, people's sovereignty, and human rights are becoming widely known and inspire the thoughts of intellectuals in Europe.

Through the spirit of the American Revolution, new awareness was born that society could be changed through collective action and social awareness. Society is no longer seen as a permanent structure, but something that can develop and be updated according to the values of justice and equality.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Revolution (1760-1850) changed the way of human life drastically. The use of machines replaces human resources, creating new social classes such as workers and capital owners. However, the advancement of this technology also gave birth to various social problems that encourage thinkers to research social structures with scientific approaches.

The French Revolution (1789-1799 AD) completed two previous revolutions by overthrowing royal rule and upholding the principles of freedom, equality, and justice. The spirit of liberalism and democracy spread throughout Europe, changing the public's view of power and social relations.

The three revolutions above together created a major change demanding a rational explanation of social dynamics, giving birth to sociology as a science that seeks to understand modern society. After the three major revolutions, the socio-European structure changed fundamentally.

The old order, which was dominated by aristocrats and churches, began to collapse, was replaced by a new social system that is more open and oriented towards individual freedom. However, the rapid change also caused turmoil and inequality that is difficult to understand traditionally.

Under these conditions, thinkers such as Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber emerged with the idea of studying society scientifically. They are trying to find social laws that can explain the relationship between individuals and society.

Sociology is also born as a science aimed at understanding social change, community structure, and social interactions rationally and systematically. Sociology focuses not only on theory, but also on real analysis of how society works and evolves.

Through a scientific approach, sociology helps humans understand the causes of the emergence of social inequality, social conflict and cultural change. Over time, sociology developed into an important discipline of science that became the basis for social policy and development of modern society.