Final answer:
Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber are discussed in textbooks as the foundational thinkers in sociology who developed key theories on society's function and structure, particularly in the context of 19th-century capitalism, modernization, and industrialization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Our textbook talks about Karl Marx, Émile Durkheim, and Max Weber because they are considered the primary founders of sociology, also known as the classical sociologists. Each developed theoretical frameworks to understand the way societies function and to interpret the major changes brought about by processes like capitalism, modernization, and industrialization during the 19th century. Durkheim is known for his functionalist approach that sees society as a complex system with each part working together to promote solidarity and stability. Marx focused on the conflicts between classes that emerge from the capitalist systems, predicting that these tensions could lead to societal changes. Weber introduced the concept of verstehen for understanding social behaviours deeply from an insider's perspective and analyzed the effects of culture, religion, and economics on societal development. These sociologists' approaches are still relevant today, as they provide tools to analyze current social events, like the Occupy movement, and ongoing societal transformations. Their theories offer valuable insight into the complexities of social structures, the power dynamics within them, and the individual's role in society.